Organometallic Compound
A compound containing at least one direct bond between a metal and a carbon atom.
Formula / equation
M–C
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
The metal–carbon bond ranges from strongly ionic in alkali metal alkyls to essentially covalent in transition metal complexes. Organometallic species are central to homogeneous catalysis, providing the vacant sites and reversible bonding that catalytic cycles require.
Examples in the real world
Grignard reagents, ferrocene, Ziegler–Natta catalysts for polymerisation, and Wilkinson's hydrogenation catalyst.