Metalated (η6-arene)tricarbonylchromium complexes in organometallic chemistry

(eta(6)-Arene)Cr(CO)(3) complexes differ from their chromium-free analogs in that they undergo a variety of new transformations as a result of the electron withdrawing effect and the stereocontrol effected by the Cr(CO)(3) moiety. Two classes of application are apparent: (1) those that use the Cr(CO)(3) group as an auxiliary which may eventually be removed upon completion of a sequence of reactions; and (2) those that aim at designing novel molecules incorporating a Cr(CO)(3) moiety and possessing specific stereochemical properties. We present a detailed review of the extensive chemistry of metalated (eta(6)-arene)Cr(CO)(3) complexes developed in the past 30 years and illustrate the main methods of preparation as well as the most important structural, physical and chemical properties of this family of compounds. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.