Stereoselective syntheses of co-ordinated phosphines: stereospecific generation and alkylation of the tertiary phosphido–metal group in (R*,R*)-[(η5-C5H5){1,2- C6H4(PMePh)2}FePMePh] at –90 °C

Abstract

Deprotonation of [(R*,R*),(R*)]-[(η⁵-C₅H₅){1,2-C₆H₄(PMePh)₂}FePHMePh]PF₆(1) with KOBu^t below –90 °C, followed by treatment of the intermediate tertiary phosphido–metal complex with iodoethane at the same temperature, produces [(R*,R*),(S*)]-[(η⁵-C₅H₅){1,2-C₆H₄(PMePh)₂}FePEtMePh]PF₆ in >99% diastereoisomeric excess.