Rhenium chemistry – Then and Now

Abstract The first section provides a background to the whole review. The second presents a historical perspective of fundamental developments in rhenium chemistry from its discovery in 1925 through to 1985. The material is organised according to the ligands bound to the metal. The larger third section covers the period 2015 to 2020 and is broadly structured as in the earlier section, enabling identification of research motifs which have persisted over time. Although there is structural content in the third section there is more emphasis on applications such as catalysis (DODH, CO2 reduction, hydrogenation and nitrogen fixation), photochemistry and electronic properties of materials, reflecting the general evolution of rhenium chemistry over nine decades.