Electron transfer catalysis of the hydrogenolysis of acyl dicarbonyl cyclopentadienyliron complexes by tributyltin hydride

Abstract

The conversion of acyl dicarbonyl cyclopentadienyliron compounds Cp(CO) 2Fe(COR) into aldehydes is not straightforward. It is shown here, mainly from electrochemical results, that the hydrogenolysis of the metal acyl bond can be efficiently achieved by trialkytin hydrides under very mild conditions, according to a chain reaction process initiated by an electron transfer to the acyl complex. The expected aldehyde is formed together with the heterobinuclear iron-tin complex.