Organometallic compounds are classified based on the nature of the metal-carbon bond:
- Sigma (σ) bonded organometallics: In these compounds, the metal atom and carbon atom are joined by a single covalent bond (sigma bond). Grignard's reagents (R−Mg−X) are a classic example where the alkyl group is bonded to the magnesium atom via a sigma bond . Other examples include (CH3)4Sn, (C2H5)2Zn, etc.
- Pi (π) bonded organometallics: These involve transition metals bonded to unsaturated ligands via their π-electron clouds. Ferrocene [Fe(η5−C5H5)2], Cobaltocene [Co(η5−C5H5)2], and Ruthenocene [Ru(η5−C5H5)2] are all metallocenes (sandwich compounds) where the metal is π-bonded to two cyclopentadienyl rings.
Therefore, Grignard's reagent is the correct example of a sigma bonded organometallic compound.