Coordination Chemistry of Chromium

A detailed review of coordination chemistry of Cr in the oxidation states 0 to VI is provided, with an emphasis on literature published during 2002–2012 (and partially 2013), and on new practical applications and biological roles of Cr complexes. This is an update of the Cr chapter in Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry II (2004) by the same authors. Major developments in the last decade include the following: (i) applications of Cr(III) and Cr(II) complexes with S - and P -donor ligands as catalysts of selective oligomerization of olefins; (ii) the development of magnetic and porous molecular materials based on heteropolynuclear Cr(III)-containing complexes; (iii) a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenicity; and (iv) growing evidence that Cr(III) is unlikely to be an essential element for human nutrition, and that anti-diabetic effects of Cr(III) and carcinogenicity of Cr(VI) are likely to originate from similar biological processes.