Organometallic Compounds

Organometallic Compounds in organic chemistry are those which consists of carbon bonds in them. These compounds have one carbon at least linked to the metal bond, as described according to most of the definitions. The general formula for this type of compounds is (R- C). This kind of bond will either be directly linked to the metal bond or in the form of a metallic compound. The compounds which contain metal-hydrogen bonds and also the compounds which have nonmetallic elements which are bonded to the carbon are also included in this group of compounds.

These compounds are divided based on the type of metal and their main groups. The organometallic compounds which have the main-group metals are such as the S-block (groups 1 and group 2) and along with the heavier elements such as the p-block (groups 13–15) present in the periodic table. The transition metals are also organometallic in nature and those include the elements such as d- and the f-blocks elements (groups 3–12).

The Organometallic compounds also provide a source to the nucleophilic carbon those of which reacts with the electrophilic carbon atoms forming a new carbon to carbon bond. This is a primary thing which is required in the synthesis of many complex molecules which are derived from pure materials.

Organometallic Compounds- Properties

Some of the properties of Organometallic Compounds includes-

The bond between the metal and the carbon atom is said to be highly covalent in nature.

Most of the organometallic compounds are said to be existing in solid form of which may belong to the class of hydrocarbons

Some compounds exhibit higher stability whereas the other compounds are said to possess high electropositivity like the elements such as sodium, lithium, aluminum, etc.

The organometallic compounds are reported to have lower melting and boiling points.

The compounds are mainly insoluble in water, but these are said to be soluble in ether and some other solvents

The other properties of the compounds include toxicity, high reactivity, and oxidability

Organometallic Compounds- Applications

· Organometallic Compounds have a broad range of applications in the field of chemistry. Some of them are given below-

· In some of the commercial chemical reactions, organometallic compounds are used as homogeneous catalysts.

· These compounds are also useful in the stoichiometric applications

· These compounds are also used in the manufacture of some of the semiconductors which use the compounds such as trimethylgallium, trimethylaluminum, trimethylindium, and trimethyl antimony.

· They are also used in the production of light emitting diodes.

· It is employed in the production of margarine by the process of hydrogenation

· These compounds are used as catalysts and reagents during the synthesis of some of the organic compounds.

· Some of the organic compounds are used for medical purposes and also as a pesticide in the field of agriculture.

· These are also used in the recovery of some of the pure metal.