Decomplexation of (η-arene)(η-cyciopentadienyl)iron(II) hexafluorophosphates: a convenient one-pot arylation procedure

Abstract

A study has been made of the relative merits of a range of decomplexation reagents in the demetallation of [(η-arene)(η-cyclopentadienyl)Fe][PF₆] salts. 1, 8-Phenanthroline gave good yields of the free ligand when simple arene complexes were used but did not demetallate more sterically hindered species. The reaction was found to be light sensitive. Bipyridine gave much lower yields. Potassium tert-butoxide in pyridine or DMSO was found to be an excellent demetallating agent even with sterically crowded complexes. A one-pot arylation procedure was developed and extended to include a number of important heterocyclic derivatives. The mechanism of these decomplexation reactions is briefly addressed.