Reactions of [Fe2(η-C5H5)2(CO)4–n(CNR)n](n= 1 or 2; R = Me, Et, or CH2Ph) with acetyl and benzoyl chlorides

Abstract

Complexes [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)₂L(CNR)](L = CO or CNR; R = Me, Et, or CH₂Ph) react with R′COCl (R′= Me or Ph) in tetrahydrofuran solution at room temperature to give [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO_µ)(CO_t)L_t{CN(R)COR′_µ}]X salts. These are unstable (a) with respect to hydrolysis to species such as [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)₃{CN(Me)H}]⁺, [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)₂(CNMe){CN(Me)H}]⁺, and [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)₂{CN(Me)H₂}]²⁺, and (b) with respect to metal–metal bond scission to species such as [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(CNMe)₂]⁺.