Aspects of the co-ordination chemistry of some electron-rich polyorganosulphur compounds; bis(ethylthio)carbene complexes [M(CO)5{C(SEt)2}](M = Cr or W) from Na[TosNNC(SEt)2](Tos = MeC6H4-p-SO2)

Abstract

Reaction of [M(CO)₅(NCMe)](M = Cr or W) with Na[TosNNC(SEt)₂](Tos = MeC₆H₄-p-SO₂) gives the stable di(alkylthio)carbene–Cr⁰ or -W⁰ complex (see title), not formed via the olefin C₂(SEt)₄, because the latter instead affords the S-, SS″-, or SS′S″-olefin complex [Cr(CO)₅(olefin)], [W(CO)₄(olefin)], or [W(CO)₃(olefin)]; d⁸ metal chloro-complexes and Na[TosNNC(SEt)₂] yield metallocycles, such as (3).