Electron-transfer chain catalysed chelation of [Fe(η5-C5Me5)(CO)2{σ-SC(S)NMe2}]: a reaction which can be initiated either by oxidation or by reduction

Abstract

The electron-transfer chain catalysed chelation of the dithiocarbamate ligand in Fp*(σ-dtc)(1)[Fp*= Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(CO)₂; dtc = SC(S)NMe₂] can be initiated by cathodic reduction or by naphthyl-sodium (as well as by ferricinium salts) to give [Fe(C₅Me₅)(CO)(n;²-dtc)](2) and CO; the choice of the reducing agent is crucial because of counter-ion effects in the propagation cycle, and the oxidative and reductive modes of initiation are compared.