Reaction Mechanisms of Inorganic and Organometallic Systems

This book is intended as a chemistry text for a one-semester course on inorganic reaction mechanisms at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level. Introductory chapters concentrate on the collection and interpretation of kinetic data. The chapter on substitution reactions begins with the Langford and Gray classification system and focuses on a sensible approach to mechanistic discussions. Current experimental and theoretical information on solvent exchange reactions is emphasized for substitution on labile systems. Standard stereochemical change processes are discussed, along with a simplified approach to symmetry rules for fluxional organometallic systems. The area of organometallic reactions attempts to bring together and generalize the current work on a variety of common reactions in this area, including C-H activation and a selection of catalytic processes. Electron transfer reactions are discussed in terms of current modifications of Marcus' theory and ideas about bridging ligand effects, including intravalence electron transfer. In inorganic photochemistry, the general factors affecting quantum yields are discussed, with applications to cobalt (III), chromium (III) and rhodium (III) systems, along with flash photolysis and matrix isolation studies in organometallic photochemistry. Selected bioinorganic systems are discussed in detail. The text includes over 500 references to original literature through 1990, and sample problems for each chapter.