Metal-organophosphine complexes: structure, bonding, and applications

Metal-organophosphine complexes are very important candidates in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Many of the organophosphorus derivatives find applications in nanoscale material synthesis as important precursors. Phosphine complexes containing a variety of substituents exhibit tunable optical properties, which can be successfully applied in conjugation with nanoscale materials in solar-cell applications, photovoltaics, and the development of novel nanomaterials. In view of the emerging importance and potential applications of organophosphorus compounds, this review details the fundamental structural, synthetic, and spectroscopic characterization of organophosphines and their corresponding metal complexes. A special emphasis has been given to P-31{H-1} and H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis.