Organometallic Chemistry in Homogeneous Catalysis

Many reactions catalyzed by soluble transition metal compounds proceed by way of organometallic intermediates, even though the original catalyst may be a simple salt. This generality is illustrated for three industrial syntheses of acetic acid that use homogeneous catalysts. Some developments in organometallic chemistry that may extend the utility of homogeneous catalysis are photoactivation of catalysts and the recognition of the importance of metallacyclic intermediates.