โ Scribed by Shapley, John R.
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
The present volume of Inorganic Syntheses continues the pattern of the last three volumes in the series, namely, specific thematic chapters along with other contributions that together reflect the diversity of inorganic synthetic activities in modern research.
The five chapters in this volume are arranged in a rough order of increasing complexity for the compounds described. Chapter 1 is a collection of syntheses for main group compounds, some interesting in their own right and others primarily for their use in metal complexes. Chapter 2 details procedures for largely mononuclear organometallic and coordination complexes, with central elements ranging across the periodic table and with a wide variety of ligand types. In contrast, Chapter 3 has a specific focus on transition metal compounds containing carbonyl ligands. Chapter 4 illustrates an explosively developing research theme in which the cyanide ligand is used as a linking agent in the assembly of polynuclear metal complexes with the purpose, for example, of achieving unique magnetic properties. Finally, procedures for other types of polynuclear and cluster compounds are displayed in Chapter 5. The articles in this volume will provide tested syntheses of compounds targeted for ongoing research. However, I trust, as in my own experience with Inorganic Syntheses, that they also will stimulate new research ideas, the results of which will serve to nurture future volumes in the series.
A volume of this sort does not happen without the contributions of many people, first and foremost, of course, the submitters and the checkers of the individual articles. I appreciate their patience when progress appeared to be slow and their quick responses when urgency was requested. Several individuals deserve explicit acknowledgment for their critical support of this project: Heinrich Vahrenkamp for his insight and effort in soliciting the cyanide-related syntheses in Chapter 4; Herb Kaesz for his interest in involving me with Inorganic Syntheses, initially with Volume 26, and for his sharp editorial eye regarding many articles that appear here; Marcetta Darensbourg for her experienced advice and counsel throughout the process of planning and assembling this volume; Stan Ching for his prompt and efficient handling of the manuscripts as they were submitted; and Julie Sides and Maureen Buxton for their truly invaluable secretarial assistance. I thank also the members of the Editorial Board for their many useful
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