This succinct text outlines the main classes of transition metal organometallic complexes and introduces the reader to the chemistry of compounds with metal-carbon s-bonds: metal carbonyls, metal alkyls, and metal alkylidenes and alkylidenes. The synthetic methods leading to each class of compounds are illustrated with pertinent examples, followed by the discussion of characteristic structures and reactivity patterns. The aim is to allow undergraduate students to have a quick overview over this area of chemistry. Highlights and excursions stress general principles and relate the material to specific applications such as catalytic processes.