The Strengths of Metal-to-Carbon Bonds

Abstract

This chapter discusses the strengths of metal-to-carbon bonds. It contains different methods––namely, rotating-bomb methods and reaction calorimetric methods. In rotating-bomb calorimeters, the bomb is charged prior to starting the experiment with an adequate volume of a chosen solvent capable of dissolving the solid combustion products. The calorimetric measurement of the heats of reactions other than combustion is conveniently referred to under the single heading of reaction calorimetry. The chapter describes metal–carbon bond energy term values. The Allen equation modified by the addition of one or more terms to allow for steric repulsions where necessary, has been shown to reproduce very satisfactorily, the available heats of formation and ΔHa° values of paraffin hydrocarbons from CH4 through octanes and nonanes. Brief explanations about mean bond-dissociation energies of metal–carbon bonds energies, metal–carbon bond dissociation energies, redistribution reactions of metal alkyls and metal halides, and intrinsic metal–carbon bond energies are also presented in the chapter.