Metal complexes containing C are known as metal carbido complexes. Most common are carbon-centered octahedral clusters, such as  (where "Ph" represents a phenyl group) and [FeC(CO)]. Similar species are known for the metal carbonyls and the early metal halides. A few terminal carbides have been isolated, such as .
Metallocarbohedrynes (or "met-cars") are stable clusters with the general formula  where M is a transition metal (Ti, Zr, V, etc.).