Organometallic Chemistry Volume 19 A Specialist Periodical Report Organometallic Chemistry Volume 19 A Review of the Literature Published during 1989 Seni o r Rep orters E. W. Abel, Department of Chemistry, University of Exeter F. G. A. Stone, F.R.S., C.B.E., Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Bristol Reporters D. A. Armitage, Kings College, University of London P. K. Baker, University College of North Wales M. A. Beckett, University College of North Wales M. Bochmann, University of East Anglia C. E. Housecroft, University of Cambridge K. C. Molloy, University of Bath M. J. Morris, University of Sheffield D. R. Russell, Unversity of Leicester J. A. Timney, North Tyneside College J. L. Wardell, University of Aberdeen M. J. Went, University of Kent J. W. Wilson, Queen's University of Belfast M. J. Winter, University of Sheffield A. H. Wright, University of Nottingham SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY ISBN 0-851 86-671 -9 ISSN 0301-0074 Copyright 0 1990 The Royal Society of Chemistry All Rights Rcwrved No part of this hook may he repr0ducc.d or trnristnitted in un?;j brm or by crr1-v inearis - graphic electronic including photocolying. recording, tapirig or ir$mnutiorz storgo a11d1 retrierla I systems - without written permission from the Roycrl Soc'icty of Chemiste Published by The Royal Society of Chemistry Thomas Graham House, The Science Park, Cambridge CB4 4WF Printed and bound by Bookcraft (Bath) Ltd. Foreword This Volume of the Specialist Periodical Reports 'Organometallic Chemistry' surveys the literature of the subject for the calendar year 1989. The subject area continues to be very active, and our Reporters have the very difficult brief of selectively reviewing the year's advances in about 500 pages. The concentrated presentation of the material does not make for an easy read, but like its predecessors, we believe the Volume provides researchers with a reliable compendium of progress for the year. E.W. Abel F.G.A. Stone Cont en ts CHAPTER 1 Group 1: The Alkali and Coinage Metals by J.L. Wardell 1 Alkali Metal Compounds 1.1 General 1.2 Alkyl Derivatives 1.3 Other Benzylic Derivatives 1.4 Aryl Derivatives 1.5 Alkenyl and Related Derivatives 2 Copper 2.1 n-Complexes 2.2 a-Bonded Compounds 2.3 Cuprates 3 Silver and Gold 7 3.1 Univalent Compounds 7 3.2 Trivalent Compounds 8 References 8 CHAPTER 2 Group 11: The Alkaline Earths and Zinc and its Congeners by J.L. Wardell Beryl 1i u m 13 Magnes i um 13 Calcium, Strontium, and Barium 14 Zinc 15 Cadmium 16 Mercury 16 References 19 ... Vlll Cont ents CHAPTER 3 Boron with the Exception of the Carbaboranes by J.W. Wilson 1 Introduction 22 2 Review Articles 22 3 Uses of Organoboron Compounds in Synthesis 22 4 Preparation and Reactions of Organoboron 28 Compounds 5 Theoretical, Physical, and Structural Studies 31 References 32 CHAPTER 4 Carbaboranes, Including Their Metal Complexes by C. E. Housecrof t 1 Introduction 36 2 Theoretical Studies 36 3 Rings with Composition Cp3 or CE$ 39 4 Rings with Composition C2B2 39 5 Compounds with Composition CB4 and CB5 40 5 6 Compounds with Composition C3%and Bg 41 7 Compounds with Composition C2B4 41 8 Compounds with Composition C2% 43 9 Compounds with Composition C2E& 44 10 Compounds with Composition C2% and C& 44 11 Compounds with Composition C2s 44 12 Compounds with Composition CBg and ';Bg 44 13 Compounds with Composition C2B10 46 14 Compounds with Composition CBll 48 References 49 CHAPTER 5 Group 111: Aluminium, Gallium, Indium and Thallium by K.C. Molloy 1 Review Articles 52 2 Aluminium 52 2.1 Synthesis, Structure, and Bonding 52 2.2 Reaction Chemistry 57 2.3 Applications in Organic Synthesis 60 3 Gallium and Indium 63