On the pathway of the η1–η5 migration of a Cp* ligand

Abstract

The thermolysis and photolysis, respectively, of the phosphinidene complex [Cp*P{W(CO)₅}₂] 1 in the presence of MeCCMe leads to the three-membered heterocycle [(η²-CH₂C₅Me₄)W(CO)₄C{(CH₃)CH(CH₃)}PW(CO)₅] 4 with an unusual η²-coordinated CH₂C₅Me₄ ligand formed by a 1,4-sigmatropic hydrogen shift; the crystal structure and the spectroscopic data of 4 are discussed.