Here we survey and organise the state-of-the-art understanding of the TM–H–M linkage (M = Mg, Zn, Al, Ga). We discuss the structure and bonding in these complexes, their known reactivity, and their largely unrealised potential in catalysis.
Some of the research of the author and his research group into the structure and reactions of dihydrogen complexes of transition metals is reviewed. The characterization of osmium complexes that can be regarded as having intermediate structures on the way to the homolytic splitting and to the heterolytic splitting of dihydrogen is described. The properties of an iridium complex with novel short proton–hydride contacts is also reviewed. Key words: transition metal, dihydrogen, hydride, complexes, NMR, neutron diffraction, osmium, iridium.
Magnesium, zinc, aluminium and gallium hydride complexes of the transition metals