Cationic isonitrile complexes of the CpFe(CO)2 fragment

Abstract

[CpFe(CO)2(THF)]+BF4− undergoes exchange of the labile THF ligand against isonitriles resulting in a shift of the NC-stretching vibration to higher energies compared to the free isonitriles. Quantum chemical calculations show that this shift is not a real indicator for the electronic character and thus the electronic influence of the substituents at the para-functionalized phenylisonitriles. In contrast, other calculated parameters such as reactions enthalpies, Fe–C distances, charges and CO-stretching frequencies clearly correlate with the Hammett constant σp.