The co-ordination of small molecules by manganese(II) phosphine complexes. Part 9. The reaction of ethylene with [MnX2L](X = Cl, Br, or I; L = PPrn3, PBun3, PPhMe2, PPhEt2, or PPh3) in tetrahydrofuran solution

Abstract

The reaction of the [MnX₂L] complexes (X = Cl, Br, or I; L = PPrⁿ₃, PBuⁿ₃, PPhMe₂, PPhEt₂, or PPh₃) with ethylene has been studied in tetrahydrofuran solution. The complexes with X = Cl, L = PPrⁿ₃, PBuⁿ₃, PPhMe₂, or PPhEt₂ and X = Br, L = PBuⁿ₃ were found to react in a 1 : 1 ratio, whereas the other complexes were found to be inactive towards ethylene. This order of binding ability, i.e. Cl > Br I, contrasts markedly with the ability of the [MnX₂L] complexes to bind sulphur dioxide, for which the order is I > Br Cl.