Clearly structured and written with advanced undergraduate, graduate and PhD students in mind, this English edition of a successful German textbook not only focuses on organic reactions, but also on bio-relevant reactions. Important aspects of the catalytic mechanisms are discussed in detail while much additional information is also provided, such as industrial applications of the processes covered.
With its many questions and answers included in all chapters at different knowledge levels, this book is also ideal for self-testing before exams.
Preface

INTRODUCTION
The Beginnings of Catalytic Research
The Catalysis Definitions of Berzelius and Ostwald

PRINCIPLES OF ORGANOMETALLIC CATALYSIS
Homogeneous versus Heterogeneous Catalysis
Catalytic Cycles
Activity and Productivity of Catalysts
Selectivity and Specificity of Catalysts
Determination of Catalytic Mechanisms
Glossary for Catalysis
The Development of Organometallic Catalysis

ELEMENTARY STEPS IN ORGANOMETALLIC CATALYSIS
Cleavage and Coordination of Ligands
Oxidative Addition and Reductive Elimination
Oxidative Coupling and Reductive Cleavage
Olefin Insertion and Beta-Hydrogen Elimination
Alpha-Hydrogen Elimination and Carbene Insertion Reactions
Addition of Nucleophiles and Heterolytic Fragmentation
Insertion and Extrusion of CO
One-Electron Reduction and Oxidation

HYDROGENATION OF OLEFINS
Introduction
The Wilkinson Catalyst
Enantioselective Hydrogenation
Dihydrogen Complexes and H2 Activation
Transfer Hydrogenation

HYDROFORMYLATION OF OLEFINS AND FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
Cobalt Catalysts
Phosphane-Modified Rhodium Catalysts
Enantioselective Hydroformylation
Significance of Hydroformylation and Outlook
The Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

CARBONYLATION OF METHANOL AND WATER-GAS SHIFT REACTION
Principles
The Monsanto Process
Synthesis of Acetic Anhydride
The Cativa Process
Water-Gas Shift Reaction and Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenases

METATHESIS
Metathesis of Olefins
Metathesis of Alkynes
Enyne Metathesis
Delta-Bond Metathesis
Metathesis of Alanes

OLIGOMERIZATION OF OLEFINS
Ziegler Growth Reaction
Nickel Effect and Nickel-Catalyzed Dimerization of Ethene
Trimerization of Ethene
Shell Higher Olefin and Alpha-Sablin Processes

POLYMERIZATION OF OLEFINS
Introduction
Ethene Polymerization
Propene Polymerization
Metallocene Catalysts
Nonmetallocene Catalysts
Copolymerization of Olefins and CO

C-C LINKAGE OF DIENES
Introduction
Allyl and Butadiene Complexes
Organometallic Elementary Steps of Allyl Ligands
Oligomerization and Telomerization of Butadiene
Polymerization of Butadiene

C-C COUPLING REACTIONS
Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions
The Heck Reaction
Palladium-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation

HYDROCYANATION, HYDROSILYLATION, AND HYDROAMINATION OF OLEFINS
Introduction
Hydrocyanation
Hydrosilylation
Hydroamination

OXIDATION OF OLEFINS AND ALKANES
The Wacker Process
Epoxidation of Olefins
C-H Functionalization of Alkanes

NITROGEN FIXATION
Fundamentals
Heterogeneously Catalyzed Nitrogen Fixation
Enzyme-Catalyzed Nitrogen Fixation
Homogeneously Catalyzed Nitrogen Fixation

”In the opinion of this reviewer this is a first-class work, both useful and easy to follow in the excellent English translation. All research students and teachers and workers in the area should possess thus work.”  (Applied Organometallic Chemistry, 1 January 2013)

“This book includes an excellent bibliography for future, more in-depth study as well as a list of frequently used abbreviations and acronyms, which should be welcomed by all readers.  Summing Up: Highly recommended.  Senior undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional chemists. ”  (Choice, 1 July 2012)

Dirk Steinborn, born in Berlin, 1946;
study of Chemistry at the Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin; 1974 Ph.D. thesis (with Rudolf Taube), Technische Hochschule Leuna-Merseburg;
1981- 1983 work in chemical industry;
1984 Dr. sc. nat. degree (habilitation thesis);
1987 Hochschuldozent at the Technische Hochschule Leuna-Merseburg;
since 1992 Full Professor for Inorganic Chemistry at the Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg;
Research interests: organometallic chemistry and catalysis, coordination and bioinorganic chemistry.Catalysis, the basic principle for overcoming the kinetic inhibition of chemical reactions, is fundamental in chemistry. In particular, organometallic catalysis plays an overwhelming role in both research and industry. It opens the way to entirely novel synthetic methods and finds widespread applications ranging from mass-production of everyday polymers to stereocontrolled synthesis of bioactive chemicals used as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The targeted development of improved and novel catalysts demands understanding of the relationships between their structures and catalytic properties. Accordingly, this textbook offers the reader a fundamental understanding of the course of organometallic-catalyzed reactions, starting at the molecular level. The initial chapters explain the principles of catalysis and the elementary steps in organometallic catalysis. The book then explores important organometallic-catalyzed reactions, with a focus on mechanism. Current developments are emphasized throughout. Asymmetric synthesis is covered in depth. Finally, the book examines the catalytic behavior of particular metalloenzymes. A look at nitrogen fixation offers a comparative examination of the three major areas of catalysis - homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzymatic.

In addition to problems, the textbook offers solutions, making the book an invaluable learning tool. It is a must-have for advanced students in chemistry and biochemistry, as well as for inorganic and organic chemists, for those working with organometallics, and for those specializing in catalysis.