Transition metal nitrile complexes

Some complexes can be prepared by dissolving an anhydrous metal salt in the nitrile.

This method is illustrated by the conversion of molybdenum pentachloride to the molybdenum(IV) complex:[6] Transition metal nitrile complexes are usually employed because the nitrile ligand is labile and relatively chemically inert.

[7] Fe- and Co-nitrile complexes are intermediates in nitrile hydratase enzymes.

N-coordination activates the sp-hybridized carbon center toward attack by nucleophiles, including water.

[10] Nitriles undergo coupling with alkenes, also involving electron-rich complexes.