Metal–silacyclobutane complexes. Part 1. Derivatives of iron and manganese

Abstract

The complexes [M{[graphic omitted]H₂}][M = Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂, Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(PMePh₂), Fe(η-C₅H₅)(PMePh₂)₂, or Mn(CO)₅] have been prepared and their reactions (substitution at Si or Fe, Fe–Si bond cleavage, or ring opening) studied. The complex [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂,{[graphic omitted]H₂}] reacts with hydrogen chloride to give [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂H] and Cl(Me)[graphic omitted]H₂(minor reaction) together with [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂{SiMe(Prⁿ)Cl}](major product), and with Cl₂ to afford [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂Cl] and Cl(Me)[graphic omitted]H₂, methanolic K[OH] cleaves first the Fe–Si bond and then the displaced silacyclobutane ring; catalytic polymerisation gives {–Si(Me)[Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂]CH₂CH₂CH₂–}_n. Hydrogen-1 n.m.r. and mass spectrometric data are presented.