Formation of η-benzene or η-cyclohexa-1,3-diene compounds of chromium, tungsten, and rhenium from cyclohexane and the metal atoms

Abstract

Co-condensation of atoms of tungsten rhenium, and chromium with a mixture of cyclohexane and trimethylphosphine causes activation of the cyclohexane giving the compounds W(η-C₆H₈)(PMe₃)₂H₄, W(η-C₆H₈)(PMe₃)₃H₂, W(η-C₆H₆)(PMe₃)₂H₂, W(PMe₃)₄H₄, Re(η-C₆H₆)(PMe₃)₂H, and Cr(η-C₆H₆)(PMe₃)₃ respectively; when tungsten atoms react with a 3 : 1 mixture of cyclohexane and perdeuteriocyclohexane, together with PMe₃, then the absence of mixed H–D tungsten Products indicates that the C–H activation processes are intramolecular.