That terms like sandwich complexes or the concept of compounds without direct chemical bonds between the central metal atom and the ligating atoms are nowadays common knowledge can be attributed to the sensational discovery of ferrocene in the early 1950s. Although ferrocene is still at the forefront of research, this two-volume book highlights the development of metallocene chemistry, and emphasizes the similarities and differences between ferrocene and other metallocenes.

Do you require a transition metal to build metallocenes? Must the planes of the cyclopentadienyl ligands be parallel to allow the compound to behave like a typical metallocene? Do zirconocenes react by the same mechanism as molybdenocenes? What are the (potential) applications of these substances?

Let yourself be guided by the leading experts in this field, and learn all about the synthesis, reactivity, and unique properties of these sandwich complexes. If you are more interested in applications, there is a wealth of polymeric and dendritic materials with metallocene building blocks described herein. This book also focusses on metallocenes as catalysts in polymerization or asymmetric reactions. If you are graduate student or researcher in organic, inorganic, organometallic, polymer chemistry, and materials science you will find this book an inspiring source of ideas for your own research.