Oxidative electrochemistry of the cluster [Co4(CO)9{HC(PPh2)3}]. Reactivity with the nucleophiles PPh3 and P(OMe)3

Abstract

The one-electron-oxidized cluster [Co₄(CO)₉{HC(PPh₂)₃}]˙⁺ reacts with PPh₃ and P(OMe)₃. The reaction mechanisms involve the substitution of CO by PR₃. The P(OMe)₃ substituted cluster is stable, whereas the PPh₃ substituted cluster undergoes an intramolecular electron transfer which regenerates the initial cluster. A general reaction scheme is proposed for the one-electron-oxidized and the one-electron-reduced cluster.