In the last few years a large repetoire of methods for the activation of unreactive organic functionalities and for their use in organic synthesis has been developed. In this volume, areas ranging from the activation of C-H bonds to the chemical transformation of dinitrogen are authoritatively discussed by leading experts in the field. To activate means to be able to cleave otherwise inert chemical bonds. The cleavage and formation of chemical bonds is fundamental to organic synthesis; these new activation methodologies make hitherto infeasible reactions extremely easy and create new opportunities for innovative organic transformations, for both industry and academia. This is the first book that provides a thorough and timely coverage of both inorganic and organic synthetic aspects of bond activation, thus giving a broad overview of the field and allowing both inorganic and organic chemists ready access to the methodologies involved. Homogeneous catalysis is the success story of organometallic chemistry. Reactions with transition metals are now ubiquitous in organic synthesis. Recently, it has been made possible to activate otherwise totally inert, unreactive bonds by the use of transition metals. Until now the topic of activation of inert bonds has been dealt with in the review literature only in terms of stoichiometric reactions, from an inorganic perspective. This volume of Topics in Organometallic Chemistry is a unique source that reviews the state of the art of activation of unreactive bonds both from the inorganic and from the organic synthetic perspectives. It features both stoichiometric and catalytic reactions, covering not only C-H activation, but also that of a wide range of other traditionally inert functionalities including dinitrogen. Leading experts in this field guide the reader through the wealth of new developments in these areas, which are opening up exciting opportunities for academic and industrial chemists alike. Whether you are a graduate student or a researcher in organic, inorganic or organometallic chemistry, in polymer or materials science, or in catalysis research, you will find this book an essential resource and an inspiring source of ideas for your own endeavors.

A General Survey and Recent Advances in the Activation of Unreactive Chemical Bonds by Metal Complexes

Activation of C-H Bonds: Stoichiometric Reactions
Activation of C-H Bonds: Catalytic Reactions
Catalytic Activation of Methane and Ethane by Metal Compounds
Cleavage of Carbon-Carbon Single Bonds by Transition Metals
Activation of Si-Si Bonds by Transition-Metal Complexes
Activation of C-O Bonds: Stoichiometric and Catalytic Reactions
Activation of Otherwise Unreactive C-Cl Bonds
Activation of the N-N Triple Bond in Molecular Nitrogen: Toward its Chemical Transformation into Organo-Nitrogen Compounds
Metal Reagents for Activation and Functionalization of Carbon-Fluorine Bonds.