Remarks on the stability of transition metal–carbon bonds

Abstract

Evidence is compiled which suggests that σ bonds between transition metals and one-electron carbon donors are not weak. Lability of such bonds, in so far as it is a real phenomenon, cannot be explained in terms of the orthodox π-ligand stabilisation theory, although an electron promotion mechanism of a different type may operate in some cases. The importance for thermal decomposition of concerted mechanisms such as β-elimination, reductive elimination, and binuclear interactions is emphasised.