Electrochemical reduction of Group 6 metal hexacarbonyls in aprotic solvents

Abstract

The mechanism of the reduction of [Cr(CO)₆] to [Cr₂(CO)₁₀]^2– at a platinum electrode in acetonitrile has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and it shown that [Cr(CO)₅][graphic omitted] is a species stable on the time scale of a few seconds. The mechanisms of reduction of [Mo(CO)₆] and [W(CO)₆] are apparently similar. Intermediates in the reductions of these Group 6 metal carbonyls react with alkyl halides and carbon dioxide.