Infrared spectroscopic evidence for photochemical generation of the metallocenes [(η-C5H5)2M](M = Mo or W) in low-temperature matrices

Abstract

U.v. photolysis of [(η-C₅H₅)₂WH₂], [(η-C₅H₅)₂WD₂], [(η-C₅H₅)₂WCO], or [(η-C₅H₅)₂W(CH₃)H] in an argon matrix at 10 K leads to a common product identified by i.r. spectroscopy as [(η-C₅H₅)₂W], and similarly photolysis of [(η-C₅H₅)₂MoH₂] or [(η-C₅H₅)₂MoCO] affords [(η-C₅H₅)₂Mo]; trapping experiments with a CO matrix show that the elimination of H₂ from [(η-C₅H₅)₂-MH₂](M = Mo or W) is close to concerted.