Gas-Phase Organometallic Chemistry

Abstract

Studies of organometallic chemistry in the gas phase can provide substantial quantitative information regarding the interactions of transition metals with carbon centers. In this review, the techniques associated with such studies are outlined with an emphasis on guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry. The use of this technique to measure thermodynamic information is highlighted. Periodic trends in covalent bonds between first, second and a few third row transition metals and small carbon ligands are discussed and shown to correlate with a carefully defined promotion energy. The bond energies for dative interactions between the first row transition metal ions and ethene, benzene and alkanes are also reviewed. With this thermochemical background, the reactions of atomic transition metal ions with alkanes (methane, ethane and propane) are reviewed and periodic variations in the reactivity are highlighted. An overview of our results on the effects of ancillary ligands (CO and H2O) and oxo ligands on the reactivity of transition metal centers are then provided.