There are hardly more versatile compounds in organic synthesis than carbene complexes. The rapid development of new synthetic methods involving carbene complexes - stereoselective cyclopropanation, carbonyl olefination, olefin metathesis, etc. - reveals the value and high potential of these compounds. Their application ranges from the synthesis of fine chemicals to polymer production.

This comprehensive, well structured handbook presents the fundamental principles and the recent advances in carbene complex chemistry. Arranged according to structure and reactivity, all relevant classes of carbene complexes, their generation, and application in organic synthesis are discussed in detail. Critically selected, up-to-date references and valuable experimental procedures await the reader. Every chemist searching for a concise introduction and reference work for carbene complex chemistry will welcome this practical guide.

"...this concise presentation of all the aspects of the use of carbene complexes in synthesis will help provide the impetus for even more rapid developments in this field of research." R. H. Grubbs (Caltech)