ABSTRACT
General Catalysis by soluble complexes of transition metals is a rapidly gaining mode of catalysis in organic synthesis. These metals form bonds with one or more carbons in an organic reactant, resulting in complexes that are known as organometallic complexes. Catalysis by these complexes is often referred to as homogeneous catalysis. Among the important applications of homogeneous catalysis in organic synthesis are isomerization of olens, hydrogenation of olens (carried out using Wilkinson-type catalysts), hydroformylation of olens to aldehydes with CO and H2 (the oxo process), carbonylation of unsaturated hydrocarbons and alcohols with CO (and coreactants such as water), and oxidation of olens to aldehydes, ketones, and alkenyl esters (Wacker process).
