The chemistry of polynuclear compounds. Part XXVII. Activation of chloroethanes by dodecacarbonyl-triangulo-tri-iron and -triruthenium

Abstract

The action of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] and [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] on chloroethanes in the presence of alkanes leads to the formation of a large number of organic products the majority of which have been isolated and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. In general, the chloroethanes are converted into the corresponding chloroethylenes, whilst the alkanes are transformed into the monochloroalkanes and alkenes. Possible mechanisms for these somewhat complex reactions are described.