Synthesis of anionic molybdenum and tungsten carbene complexes of the type [M(carbene)(CO)2(η-C5H5)]–(M = Mo or W) by the sodium naphthalide reduction of iodo carbene complexes

Abstract

Addition of sodium naphthalide (NaC₁₀H₈) to solutions containing carbene complexes trans-MI(CO)₂([graphic omitted])(η-C₅H₅)(M = Mo or W),cisMI(CO)₂([graphic omitted]Me)(η-C₅H₅)(M = Mo, n= 3 or 4; M = W, n= 3), or cis-MI(CO)₂(CMe[NHMe])(η-C₅H₅)(M = Mo or W) results in solutions containing the respective anionic carbene complexes [M(carbene)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)]^–, all of which react with Ph₃SnCl providing the appropriate tin derivatives trans-M(SnPh₃)(carbene)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅).