Zirconate complexes: multifaceted reagents
Abstract
Zirconium compounds play an important role in a large number of synthetic methods leading to simple or complex molecules for which straightforward preparations are not well-defined or appeared difficult to handle. Such a versatile behaviour of zirconium reagents can be explained by the fact that they can exhibit a metal centre with 14 to 18 electrons and a valence coordination number from 3 to 5. Among organozirconium species, zirconate complexes, not extensively studied up to now, seem very attractive species to deal with since convenient methods of preparation of these complexes are now available. The design, preparation, characterization and properties of these compounds are presented and discussed in this review.