Substitution reactions of the zerovalent iron complexes [Fe(η-C6H6)(PMe3)2] and [Fe(η-C6H6)(dmpe)](dmpe = Me2PCH2CH2PMe2)

Abstract

Substitution reactions of [Fe(η-C₆H₆)(PMe₃)₂] with two-electron donor ligands occur with loss of the PMe₃ ligands, whereas those of the Me₂PCH₂CH₂PMe₂(dmpe) analogue [Fe(η-C₆H₆)(dmpe)] result in displacement of the η-benzene ligand. Treatment of [Fe(η-C₆H₆)(PMe₃)₂] with 6,6-diphenylfulvene gives the compound [Fe(η⁴-C₅H₄CPh₂)(PMe₃)₃] which reacts reversibly with methanol to form the cationic species [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄CHPh₂)(PMe₃)₃]⁺.