Explain why lower oxidation state late transition metal complexes are good at breaking the H-H bond, but in general main group and early transition metal complexes are not.
Conditions for oxidative addition reactions are 1. Metal should be electron rich 2. Low valent metal 3. Sterically unhindered metal 4. Easily disassociating ligand 5. Low X-Y bond dissociation energy.
Latter transition Metals are electron rich and have capability to show variable oxidation state .
Generally 16 & 17 electron complexes will easily undergo oxidative addition reactions to get stability by the formation of 18 electron complexes .
But for main group and early transition elements are not electron rich hence they will not participate in oxidative addition reactions.
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