Reactions of tin(II) halides with hexacarbonylbis(tri-n-butylphosphine)dicobalt

Abstract

Six types of compound have been isolated from the reactions of tin(II) halides, SnX₂(X = F, Cl, Br, or I), with [{Buⁿ₃PCo(CO)₃}₂]; [Buⁿ₃PCo(CO)₃SnX₃], [{Buⁿ₃PCo(CO)₃}₂SnX₂], [{Buⁿ₃PCo(CO)₃}₃SnX], [{Buⁿ₃PCo(CO)₃}₃SnH], [{Buⁿ₃PCo(CO)₃}₄Sn], and [(Buⁿ₃P)₂Co(CO)₂X]. Their relative importances depend on X, the mole ratio of reactants, and the reaction conditions. It is proposed that these reactions proceed either by the direct insertion of SnX₂ into the Co–Co bond, or by the scission of this bond to give [Buⁿ₃PCo(CO)₃SnX₃] which may react further with [{Buⁿ₃PCo(CO)₃}₂]. This last step has been utilized in the reactions of octacarbonyldicobalt with various halogenotin derivatives of the transition metals to prepare mixed metal complexes such as [{Ph₃PFe(CO)₂NO}{Co(CO)₄}SnCl₂] in high yields.