Organometallic compounds and complexes

Organometallic compounds and complexes are chemical compounds in which a metal atom is covalently bonded to one or more organic groups. These compounds were first described by German chemist Alfred Werner in 1893, and because of their characteristic structure, are often referred to as "Werner complexes." These compounds can form coordination complexes with metal atoms or ions, such as those of lanthanide and transition metals, and can function as ligands. Organometallic compounds are important in both industrial and academic chemical synthesis. They have many uses, such as in fuel cells, catalysts, and pigments, because of the stability of their structures. Additionally, many of these compounds are used for research into topics such as materials science and drug discovery. Organometallic compounds can be formed by a variety of chemical reactions, including alkylation, condensation, hydrolysis, and rearrangement. Alkylation, for example, involves the addition of a metal atom to an organic molecule. Condensation involves the reactions between two compounds, with the elimination of water or other small molecules. An example of hydrolysis is the transformation of a metal-carbon bond to a metal-oxygen bond. These reactions form molecules with a variety of structures, from the complex coordination polymers which are important in catalysis to the simple monomeric molecules which can be used in a host of different applications. Not only are organometallic compounds of great academic and industrial interest, but they are also important medically, because certain compounds can be used as antifungal or antibacterial agents. Additionally, these compounds can be used as treatments for some types of cancer, such as leukaemia and prostate cancer, as chemotherapy agents. Organometallic compounds and complexes are an important part of both chemical and medical research, due to their unique properties. The wide variety of possible reactions, combined with the complexity of their structures, allows for a range of uses, both industrial and academic. The medical potential of these compounds has been especially welcomed, with some compounds being used successfully in treatments for different forms of cancer.