Reduction of CO2 by the 19 electron complexes FeI(cp)L3[cp =η5-cyclopentadienyl; L3= C6H6, C6Me6, or (PMe3)3]

Abstract

The 19 electron complexes [Fe^I(cp)(C₆R₆)], R = H (1) or Me (2), cp =η⁵-C₅H₅, reduce CO₂ in tetrahydrofuran to give [Fe^II(cp)(C₆R₆)]⁺, ½ CO₃^2–, and ½ CO; in the presence of PMe₃ and Na⁺PF₆^–, reduction of CO₂ yields Na₂CO₃, [Fe^II(cp)(PMe₃)₃]⁺[PF₆]^–(3⁺), and [Fe^II(cp)(PMe₃)₂CO]⁺[PF₆]^–(4⁺) resulting from the reactions of the very electron-rich 19 electron species [Fe^I(cp)(PMe₃)₃](3).