The colourful field of transition metal chemistry is succinctly presented in this primer, giving a coherent overview of a subject which can seem daunting in its level of detail.

Mark Winter is Professor of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield.

• 1: Introduction


• 2: Complexes


• 3: Shape and isomerism


• 4: Metal classification and electron counting


• 5: An ionic model of metal complexes


• 6: Covalent models of metal complexes


• 7: Consequences of d orbital splitting


• 8: Formulae and nomenclature