Bridging vinylalkylidene transition metal complexes

Vinylalkylidene transition metal complexes have been extensively used as ‘multitalent tools’ in organic synthesis, covering a broad field of applications. The vinylalkylidene ligands can be monodentate; alternatively they can adopt a bridging coordination mode in complexes with two adjacent metal atoms. As for other unsaturated organic ligands which can bond in both mono- and di-nuclear modes, the bridging coordination can give rise to new and different chemical properties from those found when the ligand is bound to a single metal centre. Likewise, the synthetic routes to bridging vinylalkylidene complexes offer a broader range of possibilities compared to those used to make mononuclear vinylalkylidenes. In spite of the fact that bridging vinylalkylidene complexes have been known for about 40 years, their synthetic potential as C₃ activated fragments has so far been under-exploited. Comparison with other C₃ bridged ligands (allenyls and allyls) indicates that vinylalkylidene ligands are reactive and versatile species. This review article gives an overview of the chemistry of bridging vinylalkylidene complexes to focus attention on their potential as synthetic tools.