Transition-metal carbonyl derivatives of the Germanes. Part III. Germyl(carbonyl)iron complexes

Abstract

Reaction between chlorogermane and Na₂Fe(CO)₄ in n-nutane affords digermyltetracarbonyliron, (GeH₃)₂Fe(CO)₄(I) and monogermylhydridotetracarbonyliron, GeH₃(H)Fe(CO)₄(II) together with H₂Fe(CO)₄(III). Germyl-(cyclopentadienyl)dicarbonyliron, GeH₃Fe(C₅H₅)(CO)₂(IV) can be obtained similarly from NaFe(C₅H₅)(CO)₂. Physical properties, i.r., Raman, ¹H n.m.r., and mass spectra of (I) and (II) are consistent with their fomulation as monomeric, cis-octahedral structures, allowing assignment of vibrational spectra in terms of C_2v and C₈ symmetry respectively. Gas-phase i.r. data for (III) in the range 4000–350 cm^–1 are also reported and partially assigned. Reaction of (I) with HCl gives (II) in 46% yield; interaction of solid (I) with HgCl₂ results in Ge–Fe bond cleavage with the formation of GeH₃Cl, GeH₄, and HCl.