Oxo ligand

In coordination chemistry, an oxo ligand is an oxygen atom bound only to one or more metal centers. These ligands can exist as terminal or (most commonly) as bridging atom (Fig. 1). Oxo ligands stabilize high oxidation states of a metal.

Oxo ligands are pervasive, comprising the great majority of the Earth's crust. This article concerns a subset of oxides, molecular derivatives. They are also found in several metalloenzymes, e.g. in the molybdenum cofactor and in many iron-containing enzymes. One of the earliest synthetic compounds to incorporate an oxo ligand is sodium ferrate (Na₂FeO₄) circa 1702.

Common reactions affected by metal-oxo compounds is olation, the condensation process that converts low molecular weight oxides to polymeric materials, including minerals. Olation often begins with the deprotonation of a metal-hydroxo complex.

Oxygen-atom transfer is common reaction of particular interest in organic chemistry and biochemistry. Some metal-oxos are capable of transferring their oxo ligand to organic substrates. One such example of this type of reactivity is from and enzyme super-family Molybdenum oxotransferase.

Transition metal-oxo's are also capable of abstracting strong C–H, N–H, and O–H bonds. contains a high-valent iron-oxo which is capable of abstracting hydrogen atoms from strong C–H bonds.

Some of the longest known and most widely used oxo compounds are oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) and osmium tetroxide (OsO₄). Compounds such as these are widely used for converting alkenes to vicinal diols and alcohols to ketones or carboxylic acids. More selective or gentler oxidizing reagents include pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) and pyridinium dichromate (PDC). Metal oxo species are capable of catalytic, including asymmetric oxidations of various types. Some metal-oxo complexes promote C-H bond activation, converting hydrocarbons to alcohols.

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