Kinetic studies as a tool for the elucidation of the mechanisms of metal complex-catalyzed homogeneous hydrogenation reactions

The role of transition metal complexes as catalysts for homogeneous hydroge nation reactions has been extensively investigated during the last few deca des. This paper reviews recently disclosed work by a number of research lab oratories including ours, which shows that the study of the kinetics of suc h processes is a particularly important tool which, if used in combination with spectroscopic techniques. isotope labeling, isolation of stable analog ues and theoretical calculations, allows the elucidation of the mechanisms operating in a variety of homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation reactions. (C ) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.