The Organic Chemistry of Iron, Volume 1 covers the structures and bonding and the applications of a variety of physical techniques to organo-iron compounds, optically active compounds, as well as chapters on ?-bonded, ?2-, ?3-, and ?4-organo-iron compounds. The book discusses the structure and bonding in organic iron compounds; NMR spectroscopy of organoiron compounds; and mass spectra. The text also describes Mössbauer spectroscopy; magnetic properties; electron paramagnetic resonance; and optical activity of iron. Compounds with iron-carbon?-bonds; monoolefin iron complexes; allyl iron complexes; and diene iron complexes are also considered. The stabilization of unstable species with carbonyliron is also encompassed.

The Organic Chemistry of Iron, Volume 2 covers a series of selected topics in organo-iron chemistry, including complexes with poly-olefins, arenes, and sulfur-containing ligands, as well as an account of iron-metal bonds. The book discusses the iron complexes of trienes, tetraenes, and polyenes; the arene complexes; the compounds with iron-metal bonds and clusters; and the complexes with sulfur-containing ligands.

This first comprehensive book to cover this exciting field also deals with the biological aspects, such as enzymes with iron. Following an introduction, this handy reference and handbook goes on to deal with reductions, oxidations of C, H- and C=C bonds, oxidative allylic oxygenation and amination, the oxidation of heteroatoms, cross coupling reactions, aromatic and nucleophilic substitutions, addition to carbonyl compounds, and cyclisations as well as ring opening reactions. The chapters are clearly classified according to the reaction type, allowing readers to quickly locate the desired information.

Despite this, the use of organoiron complexes in organic synthesis has been somewhat restricted compared with, for example, palladium, rhodium and other metals that are mainly used in catalytic processes.

This book is designed to be of use to the reader in two different ways. First, it is intended to provide a general introduction to all aspects of iron chemistry for readers from a variety of different scientific backgrounds. It has been written at a level suitable for use by graduates and advanced undergraduates in chemistry and biochemistry, and graduates in physics, geology, materials science, metallurgy and biology. It is not designed to be a dictionary of iron compounds but rather to provide each user with the necessary tools and background to pursue their ,individual interests in the wide areas that are influenced by the chemistry of iron. To achieve this goal each chapter has been written by a contemporary expert active in the subject so that the reader will benefit from their individual insight. Although it is generally assumed that the reader will have an understanding of bonding theories and general chemistry, the book is well referenced so that any deficiencies in the reader's background can be addressed. The book was also designed as a general reference book for initial pointers into a scientific literature that is growing steadily as the understanding and uses of this astonishingly versatile element continue to develop. To meet this aim the book attempts some coverage of all aspects of the chemistry of iron, not only outlining what understanding has been achieved to date but also identifying targets to be aimed at in the future.