Alkali/coinage metals—organolithium, organocuprate chemistry

Abstract

The first half of this review features alkali metal-containing organometallics. Sub-categorization is primarily according to the organic anion component and, cases of extreme interest notwithstanding, discussion is limited to compounds that contain at least one carbon-alkali metal interaction. Each section opens up with a summary of recent synthetic and mechanistic advances. The emphasis of the article is, however, structural and, thereafter, discussion is arranged according to the analytical method employed for the structural elucidation of organometallics; solid-state investigations are followed by solution and gas phase work in that order. The second half of this article is divided into three categories, each one focusing on a different coinage metal. As with the alkali metals, discussion centres on compounds that contain at least one carbon-metal interaction. For each of the three group 11 metals, a brief description of synthetic and mechanistic work is presented prior to the discussion of solid-state, solution and gas phase structural investigations. The article covers the 2005-2007 literature. The alkali metalsThe recent appearance of Science of Synthesis provides a series of excellent articles highlighting recent developments in organic synthesis using organoalkali metal reagents. Volume 8a deals with synthetic aspects of lithium chemistry, including the deployment of alkyl-and cycloalkyl-, alkenyl-, allenyl-, acetylido-, 1 benzyl-, 2 aryl-and hetaryllithium 3 substrates. Volume 8b focuses on the higher alkali metals and includes articles dedicated to the use of alkyl-, alkenyl-, allyl-, and arylsodiums 4 and organometallic compounds of K, 5 Rb and Cs. 6