Transition metal boryl and borylene complexes: substitution and abstraction chemistry

In this article, an account is given of recent developments in the chemistry of transition metal complexes of boron. Particular emphasis has been placed on the fundamental reaction chemistry of these systems which leaves the metal-boron bond(s) (M-B) intact. Substitution and abstraction chemistries have been developed in recent years and exploited to give access to a number of novel ligand types. This article summarizes these advances in a previously little investigated area of boryl/borylene chemistry. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.