Mass spectrometry of compounds of the type [Fe(CO)2(η-C5H5)R](R = alkyl)

Abstract

The electron-impact mass spectra of a series of compounds of the type [Fe(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)R](R = alkyl) have been obtained. Three major fragmentation routes commence with loss of alkyl (R), alkene (R–H), or carbonyl groups. Particularly intense peaks are also formed by loss of one, two, or three molecules of H₂ from the [M– 2CO]⁺ ions, leading to species which presumably contain η³-allylic and η⁵-pentadienyl moieties.