Preparing and Handling Transition Metal Catalysts

Abstract

Most of the transition metal species discussed in this book are employed in small quantities as catalysts rather than as stoichiometric reagents, and this chapter is concerned with some of the practical problems associated with transition metal catalysts. Some transition metal catalysts are relatively commonplace compounds [e.g., RhCl3·3H20, Pd(CH3C02)2, Co2(CO)8], while others are less familiar. However, it is not always necessary to prepare these compounds in the laboratory because many of them are now available from either the large general chemical supply companies, or specialist suppliers of inorganic and organometallic compounds (for names and addresses see Table 9.1). Nonetheless, the commercial price of some catalysts makes their preparation in the laboratory attractive. Moreover, this is often straightforward, and not particularly time-consuming. The preparation of stoichiometric reagents is given in the chapters in which their use is described, and this chapter contains preparative details for a range of the more important homogeneous and heterogeneous transition metal catalysts. In each case sufficient practical detail is given for the reader to undertake the preparations, but it is recommended that additional information be obtained from the cited references.