Formation and chemistry of the transient 17-electron compounds CpFe(CO)L (L PMe 2Ph, PPh 3)

Abstract

Hydride hydrogen atom abstraction from the 18-electron compounds CpFe(CO)LH (L  PMe 2 Ph, PPh 3) by the trityl radical results in formation of the 17-electron species CpFe(CO)(PMe 2Ph) and (CpFe(CO)PPh 3). These compounds are not stable, however, undergoing rearrangement and coupling reactions to give, ultimately, the 18-electron compounds Cp 2Fe 2(CO) 3PMe 2Ph and Cp 2Fe 2(CO) 3PPh 3 respectively. The transient, 17-electron species may be trapped by organic halides RX, which transfer halogen atoms to give the compounds CpFe(CO)LX.