What are the different types of organometallic compounds?

Organometallic compounds

These are compounds that have a bond between a metal and carbon (usually from an organic group).

Main types of organometallic compounds

1. Alkyl and Aryl Metal Compounds
   • Metal is directly bonded to a carbon atom of an alkyl or aryl group.
   • Example: Grignard reagents (RMgX), organolithium compounds (RLi).
2. π-Bonded Organometallic Compounds
   • Metal is bonded to carbon atoms through their π-electrons.
   • Example: Ferrocene (FeFe bonded to two cyclopentadienyl rings), Zeise’s salt (Pt with ethylene).
3. Carbene and Carbyne Complexes
   • Metal bonded to a carbon atom that forms double or triple bonds.
   • Example: Fischer carbenes, Schrock carbenes.
4. Carbonyl Complexes
   • Metal bonded to carbon monoxide ligands.
   • Example: Nickel carbonyl, Iron pentacarbonyl.
5. Cyclopentadienyl and Aromatic Complexes
   • Metal bonded to aromatic rings like benzene or cyclopentadienyl.
   • Example: Ferrocene (sandwich compound), bis(benzene)chromium.
6. Metal-Alkene and Metal-Alkyne Complexes
   • Metal bonded to double or triple bonds of hydrocarbons.
   • Example: Zeise’s salt (Pt-ethylene complex), metal-alkyne complexes.
7. Metallocenes (Sandwich Compounds)
   • Metal atom is “sandwiched” between two aromatic rings.
   • Example: Ferrocene, Cobaltocene.

In short:
Organometallic compounds can be classified as alkyl/aryl complexes, π-bonded complexes, carbene/carbyne complexes, carbonyl complexes, aromatic complexes, alkene/alkyne complexes, and sandwich compounds.