Synthesis and reactivity of the µ(1,n)-alkanediyl complexes [(OC)5M(CH2)nM(CO)5](M = Mn, n= 4–6; M = Re, n= 3 or 4)

Abstract

The µ(1,n)-alkanediyl complexes [(OC)₅M(CH₂)_nM(CO)₅](M = Mn, n= 4–6; M = Re, n= 4) have been synthesised from the µ-diacyl compounds [(OC)₅M(O)C(CH₂)_nC(O)M(CO)₅] by thermal decarbonylation. The compound [(OC)₅Re(CH₂)₃Re(CO)₅] was prepared by the reaction of Na[Re(CO)₅] with Z(CH₂)₃Z (Z = OSO₂CF₃). The reactivity of the µ(1,n)-alkanediyl complexes towards a variety of reagents including PR₃, CO, CO–H₂, and halogens have been investigated. The effects of changing the length of the alkanediyl chain and the metal from Mn to Re are discussed. The results of this study are compared to known properties and reactions of mononuclear alkyl complexes [MR(CO)₅](M = Mn or Re).