Transition metal oxo complex

In coordination chemistry, an oxo ligand is an oxygen atom bound only to one or more metal centers. These ligands can exist as terminal or (most commonly) as bridging atom (Fig. 1). Oxo ligands stabilize high oxidation states of a metal.

Oxo ligands are pervasive, comprising the great majority of the Earth's crust. This article concerns a subset of oxides, molecular derivatives. They are also found in several metalloenzymes, e.g. in the molybdenum cofactor and in many iron-containing enzymes. One of the earliest synthetic compounds to incorporate an oxo ligand is sodium ferrate (Na₂FeO₄) circa 1702.