Transition metal oxo complex

a) Doubly bridging and b) terminal oxo ligands

A transition metal oxo complex is a coordination complex containing an oxo ligand. Formally O2–, an oxo ligand can be bound to one or more metal centers, i.e. it can exist as a terminal or (most commonly) as bridging ligands. Oxo ligands stabilize high oxidation states of a metal.[1] They are also found in several metalloproteins, for example in molybdenum cofactors and in many iron-containing enzymes. One of the earliest synthetic compounds to incorporate an oxo ligand is potassium ferrate (K2FeO4), which was likely prepared by Georg E. Stahl in 1702.[2]

  1. ^ Nugent, W. A., Mayer, J. M. "Metal-Ligand Multiple Bonds." John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1988.
  2. ^ Delaude, Lionel; Laszlo, Pierre (1996-01-01). "A Novel Oxidizing Reagent Based on Potassium Ferrate(VI)1". The Journal of Organic Chemistry. 61 (18): 6360–6370. doi:10.1021/jo960633p. ISSN 0022-3263. PMID 11667478.