Alkene complexes

This chapter discusses alkene complexes. Alkene (olefin) complexes now exist of every transition metal and constitute one of the most important classes of coordination compounds. The development of the organometallic chemistry of olefins is closely connected with the rise of the petrochemical industry during the course of this century; olefins, in particular ethylene, are abundantly available from petrochemical feedstocks. The chapter then details the synthesis of alkene complexes and bonding of alkenes to transition metals. Olefins bind to transition metals via their π orbitals, by donating electron density into an empty metal d-orbital. However, since olefins are weak bases, the bond has to be stabilized by another bonding contribution: the donation of electron density from the metal to the olefin. Finally, the chapter explains the reactivity of alkene complexes.