ABSTRACT
Ludwig Mond synthesised the first metal carbonyl compound, Ni(CO)4, in 1890 by the direct reaction between nickel and carbon monoxide at 100°C. Within a year the same method was also used to prepare Fe(CO)5, although more forcing con ditions were required. It has subsequently been found that both pure nickel and iron (uncontaminated by surface oxides) will react with CO at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure to produce the appropriate carbonyl compound as shown in Scheme 6.1. The ease with which these carbonyl compounds are formed is illustrated by the fact that they are found in very low concentrations in tobacco smoke.
