Electron-Transfer Chain Catalysis in Organotransition Metal Chemistry†

TLDR: The theoretical and experimental foundations established by Feldberg in 1971 (ECE mechanism) have been applied, using fast electrochemical techniques, to various organometallic reactions such as isomerization, ligand exchange, chelation, decomplexation, and CO insertion and extrusion.

Abstract: Parallel to organic electrocatalysis, the field of organotransition metal electrocatalysis has developed explosively since 1980. The theoretical and experimental foundations established by Feldberg in 1971 (ECE mechanism) have been applied, using fast electrochemical techniques, to various organometallic reactions such as isomerization, ligand exchange, chelation, decomplexation, and CO insertion and extrusion. Most of the work performed to date concerns ligand exchange reactions of N-donors and P-donors in mononuclear compounds, initiated by oxidants (or anodes) and of carbonyls and P-donors in clusters, initiated by reducing agents (or cathodes). The preparative aspects of electrocatalysis have already been impressively developed in cluster chemistry and indicate that the technique is extremely useful. This review first delineates the principles and characteristics of electrocatalysis applied in organotransition metal chemistry, and then, after outlining the choice of efficient initiating reagents, goes on to describe the systems up to August 1986.