Ring strain governs transmetalation behaviour at a tucked-in iron complex

Abstract

Studies that independently investigate [M]–C transmetalation reactions using two different metals are uncommon and yet understanding this reactivity is important to unlocking new synthetic approaches and product classes. Here, we show that the strained [Fe]–C complex, [(η⁶-C₅Me₄-CH₂)Fe(diphosphine)] undergoes transmetalation with rhodium(I) and iridium(I) diolefin salts, leading to rapid Fe–C(sp³) bond cleavage and M–C(sp³) (M = Rh or Ir) bond generation.