The first transition metal complex containing a co-ordinated vinylcyclopropene and its photochemical ring expansion to give an η4-cyclobutadiene ligand
Abstract
1,2,3-Triphenyl-3-trifluorovinylcycloprop-1-ene (1a) reacts with [Fe2(CO)9] to give the first example of a complex (3) containing a co-ordinated η2-vinylcyclopropene; on subsequent irradiation an unprecedented ring expansion reaction occurs to give the η4-cyclobutadiene complex (4).