Metal carbonyls are coordination complexes of
transition metalThe term transition metal has two possible meanings:*In the past it referred to any element in the d-block of the periodic table, which includes groups 3 to 12 on the periodic table...
s with
carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, yet very toxic to humans. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, connected by a covalent double bond and a dative covalent bond...
. These complexes may be
homolepticIn inorganic chemistry, a homoleptic chemical compound is a metal compound with all ligands identical. The term uses a homo prefix to indicate that something is the same for all....
, i.e. contain only CO ligands, such as
nickel carbonylNickel carbonyl is a colorless organometallic complex that is a versatile reagent, first described in 1890 by Ludwig Mond. It was the first metal simple carbonyl complex to be reported...
(Ni(CO)
4), but more commonly metal carbonyls contain a mix of ligands, such as Re(CO)
3(
2,2'-bipyridine2,2'-Bipyridine is a chemical compound with the formula
2. This colorless solid, commonly abbreviated bipy , is a widely used isomer of bipyridine. It is a bidentate chelating ligand, forming complexes with many transition metals...
)Cl.
Carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, yet very toxic to humans. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, connected by a covalent double bond and a dative covalent bond...
is an important building block for the synthesis for many compounds, e.g.
hydroformylationHydroformylation, also known as oxo synthesis, is an important industrial process for the production of aldehydes from alkenes. This chemical reaction entails the addition of a formyl group and a hydrogen atom to a carbon-carbon double bond...
, and metal carbonyl catalysts are central to its utilization. Metal carbonyls are toxic, in part because of their ability to carbonylate hemoglobin to give
carboxyhemoglobinCarboxyhemoglobin is a stable complex of carbon monoxide and hemoglobin that forms in red blood cells when carbon monoxide is inhaled, and hinders delivery of oxygen to the body...
, which will not bind O
2.
Metal carbonyls generally have poor solubility with water.
Carbon monoxide bonds to transition metals using "synergic π
* back-bonding." The bonding has three components, giving rise to a partial triple bond.
Metal carbonyls are coordination complexes of
transition metalThe term transition metal has two possible meanings:*In the past it referred to any element in the d-block of the periodic table, which includes groups 3 to 12 on the periodic table...
s with
carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, yet very toxic to humans. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, connected by a covalent double bond and a dative covalent bond...
. These complexes may be
homolepticIn inorganic chemistry, a homoleptic chemical compound is a metal compound with all ligands identical. The term uses a homo prefix to indicate that something is the same for all....
, i.e. contain only CO ligands, such as
nickel carbonylNickel carbonyl is a colorless organometallic complex that is a versatile reagent, first described in 1890 by Ludwig Mond. It was the first metal simple carbonyl complex to be reported...
(Ni(CO)
4), but more commonly metal carbonyls contain a mix of ligands, such as Re(CO)
3(
2,2'-bipyridine2,2'-Bipyridine is a chemical compound with the formula
2. This colorless solid, commonly abbreviated bipy , is a widely used isomer of bipyridine. It is a bidentate chelating ligand, forming complexes with many transition metals...
)Cl.
Carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, yet very toxic to humans. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, connected by a covalent double bond and a dative covalent bond...
is an important building block for the synthesis for many compounds, e.g.
hydroformylationHydroformylation, also known as oxo synthesis, is an important industrial process for the production of aldehydes from alkenes. This chemical reaction entails the addition of a formyl group and a hydrogen atom to a carbon-carbon double bond...
, and metal carbonyl catalysts are central to its utilization. Metal carbonyls are toxic, in part because of their ability to carbonylate hemoglobin to give
carboxyhemoglobinCarboxyhemoglobin is a stable complex of carbon monoxide and hemoglobin that forms in red blood cells when carbon monoxide is inhaled, and hinders delivery of oxygen to the body...
, which will not bind O
2.
Structure and properties
Metal carbonyls generally have poor solubility with water.
Carbon monoxide bonds to transition metals using "synergic π
* back-bonding." The bonding has three components, giving rise to a partial triple bond. A
sigma bondIn chemistry, sigma bonds are the strongest type of covalent chemical bond. Sigma bonding is most clearly defined for diatomic molecules using the language and tools of symmetry groups. In this formal approach, a σ-bond is symmetrical with respect to rotation about the bond axis...
arises from overlap of nonbonding electron pair on carbon with a blend of d, s, and p-orbitals on the metal. A pair of π bonds arises from overlap of filled d-orbitals on the metal with a pair of π-antibonding orbitals projecting from the carbon of the CO. The latter kind of binding requires that the metal have d-electrons, and that the metal is in a relatively low oxidation state (<+2). The π-bonding has the effect of weakening the
carbon-oxygen bondA carbon-oxygen bond is a covalent bond between carbon and oxygen and one of the most abundant in organic chemistry and biochemistry. Oxygen has 6 valence electrons and prefers to share two electrons in bonding with carbon, leaving the remaining 4 nonbonding electrons in 2 lone pairs...
compared with free carbon monoxide. Because of the multiple bond character of the M-CO linkage, the distance between the metal and carbon is relatively short, often < 1.8 Â.
Bonding modes in clusters
The carbonyl ligand is versatile and displays a range of bonding modes in metal carbonyl cluster chemistry. The most frequently encountered mode is terminal (see above), but bridging between two (μ
2) or three (μ
3) metals is also common. The increased π-bonding due to back-donation from more metal centers results in further weakening of the C-O bond. Much less common are bonding modes in which both C and O bond to the metal, e.g. μ
3-η
2.
Characterization
The most important technique for characterizing metal carbonyls is infra-red spectroscopy. The C-O vibration, typically called ν
CO, occurs at 2143 cm
-1 for CO gas. The positions of the ν
CO band(s) for the metal carbonyls is inversely correlated with the strength of the pi-bonding between the metal and the carbon:
| Compound |
νCO |
| CO |
2143 cm-1 |
| Ti(CO)6-2 |
1748 cm-1 |
| V(CO)6-1 |
1859 cm-1 |
| Cr(CO)6 |
2000 cm-1 |
| Mn(CO)6+ |
2100 cm1 |
| Fe(CO)62+ |
2204 cm-1 |
In addition to their frequency, the
number of the ν
CO bands is diagnostic of structure of the complex. Octahedral complexes, e.g. Cr(CO)
6, exhibits only a single ν
CO band in its IR spectrum. Spectra for complexes of lower symmetry are more complex. The IR spectrum of Fe
2(CO)
9 displays CO bands at 2082, 2019, 1829 cm
-1. For Fe(CO)
5, ν
CO = 2022, 2000 cm
-1.
In cluster carbonyls, ν
CO is a sensitive probe for the CO coordination geometry. For bridging (μ
2) ligands ν
CO is usually shifted by 100-200 cm
-1 to lower wavenumbers compared to the signatures of μ
1-CO. Bands for face capping (μ
3) CO ligands appear at even lower energies. Typical values for rhodium cluster carbonyls are:
| carbonyl |
νCO, µ1 (cm-1) |
νCO, µ2 (cm-1) |
νCO, µ3 (cm-1) |
| Rh2(CO)8 |
2060, 2084 |
1846, 1862 |
|
| Rh4(CO)12 |
2044, 2070, 2074 |
1886 |
|
| Rh6(CO)16 |
2045, 2075 |
|
1819 |
Synthesis
Although
nickel carbonylNickel carbonyl is a colorless organometallic complex that is a versatile reagent, first described in 1890 by Ludwig Mond. It was the first metal simple carbonyl complex to be reported...
and
iron pentacarbonylIron pentacarbonyl, also known as iron carbonyl, is the compound with formula 5. Under standard conditions Fe5 is a free-flowing, straw-colored liquid with a pungent odour. This compound is a common precursor to diverse iron compounds, including many that are useful in...
form upon treatment of the metals with
carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, yet very toxic to humans. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, connected by a covalent double bond and a dative covalent bond...
, most metal carbonyls are prepared less directly. The other homoleptic carbonyls are usually made by "reductive carbonylation" of metal salts or metal oxides under a high pressure of
carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, yet very toxic to humans. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, connected by a covalent double bond and a dative covalent bond...
in
autoclaveAn autoclave is a device to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure steam at 121° C or more. It was invented by Charles Chamberland in 1879, although a precursor known as the steam digester was created by Denis Papin in 1679....
:
- Re2O7 + 17 CO → Re2(CO)10 + 7 CO2
Once prepared, these homoleptic carbonyls undergo extensive substitution and redox reactions.
Mixed ligand carbonyls of
rutheniumRuthenium is a chemical element that has the symbol Ru and atomic number 44. A rare transition metal of the platinum group of the periodic table, ruthenium is found associated with platinum ores and used as a catalyst in some platinum alloys....
,
osmiumOsmium is a chemical element that has the symbol Os and atomic number 76. Osmium is a hard, brittle, blue-gray or blue-black transition metal in the platinum family, and is the densest natural element. The density of osmium is , slightly greater than that of iridium, the second densest element....
,
rhodiumRhodium is a chemical element that is a rare, silvery-white, hard transition metal and a member of the platinum group. Rhodium is found in platinum ores and is used in alloys with platinum and as a catalyst. It is abbreviated to Rh and has atomic number 45...
, and
iridiumIridium is the chemical element with atomic number 77, and is represented by the symbol Ir. A very hard, brittle, silvery-white transition metal of the platinum family, iridium is the second densest element and is the most corrosion-resistant metal, even at temperatures as high as 2000 °C...
are often generated in the laboratory by abstraction of CO from solvents such as
dimethylformamideDimethylformamide is the organic compound with the formula
2NCH. Commonly abbreviated DMF , this colourless liquid is miscible with water and the majority of organic liquids. DMF is a common solvent for chemical reactions...
(DMF) and
2-methoxyethanol2-Methoxyethanol, or methyl cellosolve, is an organic compound that is used mainly as a solvent. It is a clear, colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. It is in a class of solvents known as glycol ethers which are notable for their ability to dissolve a variety of different types of chemical...
. Typical is the synthesis of IrCl(CO)(PPh
3)
2 from the reaction of
iridium(III) chlorideIridium chloride is the chemical compound with the formula IrCl3. This salt and the related hydrate are the principal starting materials for most iridium chemistry. The anhydrous salt is a dark green crystalline solid, which is very hygroscopic...
and
triphenylphosphineTriphenylphosphine is a common organophosphorus compound with the formula P3 - often abbreviated to PPh3 or Ph3P. It is widely used in the synthesis of organic and organometallic compounds. PPh3 exists as relatively air stable, colorless crystals at...
in boiling DMF solution.
Occurrence in nature
The
hydrogenaseA hydrogenase is an enzyme that catalyses the reversible oxidation of molecular hydrogen . Hydrogenases play a vital role in anaerobic metabolism....
enzymes contain CO bound to iron, apparently the CO stabilizes low oxidation states which facilitates the binding of
hydrogenHydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, nonmetallic, tasteless, highly flammable diatomic gas with the molecular formula H
2...
. Certain metal carbonyls have been observed in trace amounts in landfills, where the reducing environment is compatible with their formation.
Compounds
Most metal carbonyl complexes contain a mixture of ligands. Examples include the historically important
IrCl(CO)(P(C6H5)3)2Vaska's complex is the trivial name for the chemical compound trans-chlorocarbonylbisiridium, which has the formula IrCl[P3]2...
and the anti-knock agent
(CH3C5H4)Mn(CO)3Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl is an organomanganese compound with the formula Mn
3. Marketed initially in 1958 as a supplement to the gasoline additive tetraethyl lead to increase the fuel's octane rating, MMT was later used in unleaded gasoline...
. The parent compounds for many of these mixed ligand complexes are the binary carbonyls, i.e. species of the formula [M(CO)
n]
z, many of which are commercially available. The formula of many metal carbonyls can be inferred from the 18 electron rule.
Charge-neutral binary metal carbonyls
- Group 4 element
The Group 4 elements are a group of chemical elements in the periodic table. In the modern IUPAC nomenclature, Group 4 of the periodic table contains titanium , zirconium , hafnium and rutherfordium . This group lies in the d-block of the periodic table...
s with 4 valence electrons are rare, but substituted derivatives of Ti(CO)7 are known.
- Group 5 element
A Group 5 element is one in the series of elements in group 5 in the periodic table, which consists of vanadium , niobium , tantalum , and dubnium ....
s with 5 valence electrons, again are subject to steric effects that prevent the formation of M-M bonded species such as V2(CO)12, which is unknown. The 17 VE V(CO)6Vanadium carbonyl, also known as vanadium hexacarbonyl, is the inorganic compound with the formula V6. This highly reactive species is noteworthy from theoretical and scholarly perspectives. It is a rare isolable homoleptic metal carbonyl that is paramagnetic...
is however well known.
- Group 6 element
A Group 6 element is one in the series of elements in group 6 in the periodic table, which consists of the transition metals chromium , molybdenum , tungsten , and seaborgium ....
s with 6 valence electrons form metal carbonyls Cr(CO)6Chromium carbonyl, also known as chromium hexacarbonyl, is the chemical compound with the formula Cr6. At room temperature the solid is stable to air, although it does have a high vapor pressure and sublimes readily...
, Mo(CO)6Molybdenum hexacarbonyl is the chemical compound with the formula Mo6. This colorless solid, like its chromium and tungsten analogues, is noteworthy as a volatile, air-stable derivative of a metal in its zero oxidation state.-Structure and properties:Mo6 adopts an octahedral...
, and W(CO)6Tungsten hexacarbonyl is the chemical compound with the formula W6. This complex gave rise to the first example of a dihydrogen complex....
(6 + 6x2 = 18 electrons).
- Group 7 element
A Group 7 element is one in the series of elements in group 7 in the periodic table, which consists of the transition metals manganese , technetium , rhenium , and bohrium ....
s with 7 valence electrons form metal carbonyl dimers Mn2(CO)10Dimanganese decacarbonyl is the chemical compound with the formula Mn210. This metal carbonyl is an important reagent in the organometallic chemistry of manganese.-Synthesis:...
, Tc2(CO)10, and Re2(CO)10 (7 + 1 + 5x2 = 18 electrons).
- Group 8 element
A Group 8 element is one in the series of elements in group 8 in the periodic table, which consists of the transition metals iron , ruthenium , osmium and hassium ....
s with 8 valence electrons form metal carbonyls Fe(CO)5Iron pentacarbonyl, also known as iron carbonyl, is the compound with formula 5. Under standard conditions Fe5 is a free-flowing, straw-colored liquid with a pungent odour. This compound is a common precursor to diverse iron compounds, including many that are useful in...
,Ru(CO)5 and Os(CO)5 (8 + 5x2 = 18 electrons). The heavier two members are unstable, tending to decarbonylate to give Ru3(CO)12Triruthenium dodecarbonyl is the chemical compound with the formula Ru312. This orange-colored metal carbonyl cluster is a precursor to other organoruthenium compounds.-Structure and synthesis:...
, and Os3(CO)12Triosmium dodecarbonyl is a chemical compound with the formula Os312. This yellow-colored metal carbonyl cluster is an important precursor to organo-osmium compounds...
. The two other principal iron carbonyls are Fe3(CO)12Triiron dodecarbonyl is the chemical compound with the formula Fe312. It was one of the first metal carbonyl clusters synthesized. It is a more reactive source of iron than is iron pentacarbonyl.-General properties:...
and Fe2(CO)9Diiron nonacarbonyl is an inorganic compound with the formula Fe29. This metal carbonyl is an important reagent in organometallic chemistry and of occasional use in organic synthesis. It is a more reactive source of Fe than Fe5 and less dangerous to handle because...
.
- Group 9 element
In modern IUPAC nomenclature, Group 9 of the periodic table contains the elements cobalt , rhodium , iridium , and meitnerium . These are all d-block transition metals...
s with 9 valence electrons and are expected to form metal carbonyl dimers M2(CO)8. In fact the cobalt derivative of this octacarbonyl is the only stable member, but all three tetramers are well known: Co4(CO)12, Rh4(CO)12Tetrarhodium dodecacarbonyl is the chemical compound with the formula Rh
412. This dark-red crystalline solid is the smallest stable binary rhodium carbonyl...
, and Ir4(CO)12Tetrairidium dodecacarbonyl is the chemical compound with the formula Ir412. This tetrahedral cluster is the most common and most stable "binary" carbonyl of iridium. This air-stable species is only poorly soluble in organic solvents. It has been used to prepare bimetallic...
(9 + 3 + 3x2 = 18 electrons). Co2(CO)8Dicobalt octacarbonyl is the inorganic compound Co
28. This metal carbonyl is a reagent and catalyst in organometallic chemistry and organic synthesis...
unlike the majority of the other 18 VE transition metal carbonyls is sensitive to oxygen.
- Group 10 element
A Group 10 element is one in the series of elements in group 10 in the periodic table, which consists of the transition metals nickel , palladium , platinum , and darmstadtium ....
s with 10 valence electrons form metal carbonyls Ni(CO)4Nickel carbonyl is a colorless organometallic complex that is a versatile reagent, first described in 1890 by Ludwig Mond. It was the first metal simple carbonyl complex to be reported...
(10 + 4x2 = 18 electrons). Curiously Pd(CO)4 and Pt(CO)4 are not stable.
Anionic binary metal carbonyls
- Group 4 element
The Group 4 elements are a group of chemical elements in the periodic table. In the modern IUPAC nomenclature, Group 4 of the periodic table contains titanium , zirconium , hafnium and rutherfordium . This group lies in the d-block of the periodic table...
s as dianions resemble neutral group 6 derivatives: [Ti(CO)6]2-.
- Group 5 element
A Group 5 element is one in the series of elements in group 5 in the periodic table, which consists of vanadium , niobium , tantalum , and dubnium ....
s as monoanions resemble again neutral group 6 derivatives: [V(CO)6]-.
- Group 7 element
A Group 7 element is one in the series of elements in group 7 in the periodic table, which consists of the transition metals manganese , technetium , rhenium , and bohrium ....
s as monoanions resemble neutral group 8 derivatives: [M(CO)5]- (M = Mn, Tc, Re).
- Group 8 element
A Group 8 element is one in the series of elements in group 8 in the periodic table, which consists of the transition metals iron , ruthenium , osmium and hassium ....
s as dianaions resemble neutral group 10 derivatives: [M(CO)4]2- (M = Fe, Ru, Os)Disodium tetracarbonylferrate is the chemical compound with the formula Na2[Fe4]. This oxygen-sensitive colourless solid is employed in organic synthesis", mainly to synthesise aldehydes. It is commonly used with dioxane complexed to the sodium cation, this dioxane solvate...
. Condensed derivatives are also known.
- Group 9 element
In modern IUPAC nomenclature, Group 9 of the periodic table contains the elements cobalt , rhodium , iridium , and meitnerium . These are all d-block transition metals...
s as monoanions resemble neutral group 10 metal carbonyl. [Co(CO)4]- is the best studied member.
Large anionic clusters of Ni, Pd, and Pt are also well known.
Cationic binary metal carbonyls
- Group 7 element
A Group 7 element is one in the series of elements in group 7 in the periodic table, which consists of the transition metals manganese , technetium , rhenium , and bohrium ....
s as monocations resemble neutral group 6 derivative [M(CO)6]+ (M = Mn, Tc, Re).
- Group 8 element
A Group 8 element is one in the series of elements in group 8 in the periodic table, which consists of the transition metals iron , ruthenium , osmium and hassium ....
s as dications also resemble neutral group 6 derivatives [M(CO)6]2+ (M = Fe, Ru, Os).
Metal carbonyl hydrides
| Metal Carbonyl hydride |
pKa |
| HCo(CO)4 |
"strong" |
| HCo(CO)3(P(OPh)3) |
5.0 |
| HCo(CO)3(PPh3) |
7.0 |
| HMn(CO)5 |
7.1 |
| H2Fe(CO)4 |
4.4, 14 |
| [HCo(dmgH Dimethylglyoxime is a chemical compound described by the formula CH3CCCH3. This colourless solid is the dioxime derivative of the diketone diacetyl . DmgH2 is used in the analysis of palladium or nickel. Its coordination complexes are of theoretical interest as...
)2PBu3 |
10.5 |
Metal carbonyls are relatively distinctive in forming complexes with negative oxidation states. Examples include the anions discussed above. These anions can be protonated to give the corresponding metal carbonyl hydrides. The neutral metal carbonyl hydrides are often volatile and can be quite acidic.
Related compounds
Many analogues of CO ligands are known to form homoleptic and mixed ligand complexes.
Complexes of nitrosyls
Metal nitrosylMetal nitrosyls are complexes that contain transition metals bonded to nitric oxide, NO. Metal nitrosyls are important biologically. This large class of molecules continues to be of interest to researchers and technologists.-18-electron rule perspective:...
s, featuring NO as a ligand are numerous, although homoleptic derivatives are not. Relative to CO, NO is a stronger acceptor and isocyanides are better donors. Well known nitrosyl carbonyls include CoNO(CO)
3 and Fe(NO)
2(CO)
2.
Complexes of thiocarbonyls
Complexes containing CS are known but are uncommon. The rarity of such complexes is attributable in part to the fact that the obvious source material, carbon monosulfide, is unstable. Thus, the synthesis of thiocarbonyl complexes requires more elaborate routes, such as the reaction of
disodium tetracarbonylferrateDisodium tetracarbonylferrate is the chemical compound with the formula Na2[Fe4]. This oxygen-sensitive colourless solid is employed in organic synthesis", mainly to synthesise aldehydes. It is commonly used with dioxane complexed to the sodium cation, this dioxane solvate...
with
thiophosgeneThiophosgene is a yellow liquid with the formula CSCl2. This compound has a trigonal planar geometry. It possesses two reactive C–Cl bonds that allow this reagent to be used in diverse procedures related to organic synthesis....
:
- Na2Fe(CO)4 + CSCl2 → Fe(CO)4CS + 2 NaCl
Complexes of CSe and CTe are very rare.
Complexes of PF3
Complexes of
PF3Phosphorus trifluoride Phosphorus trifluoride Phosphorus trifluoride (formula PF3, is a colourless and odourless gas. It is highly toxic and it reacts slowly with water. Its main use is as a ligand in metal complexes...
often parallel those of the metal carbonyls. In contrast to PF
3, alkyl- and
arylIn the context of organic molecules, aryl refers to any functional group or substituent derived from a simple aromatic ring, may it be phenyl, thiophene, indolyl, etc . "Aryl" is used for the sake of abbreviation or generalization....
phosphines can be substituted for CO in metal carbonyls, but rarely give homoleptic complexes analogous to the carbonyls.
Complexes of isocyanides
IsocyanideAn isocyanide is an organic compound with the functional group R-N≡C. The CN functionality is connected to the organic fragment via the nitrogen atom, not via carbon as is found in the isomeric nitriles, which have the connectivity R-C≡N. Hence the prefix iso...
s also form extensive families of complexes that are related to the metal carbonyls. Typical isocyanide ligands are
MeNCMethyl isocyanide is an organic compound and a member of the isocyanide family. This colorless liquid is structurally similar to the isomeric methyl cyanide , but its reactivity is very different...
and
t-butylisocyanidetert-Butyl isocyanide is an organic compound with the formula Me3CNC . It is an isocyanide, commonly called isonitrile or carbylamine, as defined by the functional group C≡N-R. tert-Butyl isocyanide, like most alkyl isocyanides, is a reactive colorless liquid with an extremely...
((Me
3CNC). A special case is
CF3NCTrifluoromethylisocyanide is the chemical compound with the formula CF3NC. It is an isocyanide and a fluorocarbon. Polymerisation occurs even at temperatures below its boiling point of -80°C. As a ligand in coordination chemistry, this species behaves similarly to carbon monoxide.The...
, an unstable molecule that forms stable complexes whose behavior closely parallels that of the metal carbonyls.
History
Ludwig MondDr Ludwig Mond , was a German-born chemist and industrialist who took British nationality.-Education and career:...
prepared Ni(CO)
4 in the 1880s, which eventually led to the synthesis of many analogues, primarily by
Walter HieberWalter Hieber was an inorganic chemist, known as the father of metal carbonyl chemistry. He was born 18 December, 1895 and died 29 November, 1976. Hieber's father was Johannes Hieber, an influential evangelical minister and politician....
who prepared the first metal hydride, H
2Fe(CO)
4 and the first metal carbonyl halide Fe(CO)
4I
2. Hieber also established the nuclearity of first metal carbonyl cluster, Fe
3(CO)
12. The economic benefits of metal-catalysed
carbonylationCarbonylation refers to reactions that introduce carbon monoxide into organic and inorganic substrates. Carbon monoxide is abundantly available and conveniently reactive, so it is widely used as a reactant in industrial chemistry.-Organic chemistry:...
s, e.g. Reppe Chemistry and
hydroformylationHydroformylation, also known as oxo synthesis, is an important industrial process for the production of aldehydes from alkenes. This chemical reaction entails the addition of a formyl group and a hydrogen atom to a carbon-carbon double bond...
, led to growth of the area.
External links