Fulgides as ligands 1. Synthesis and photochemistry of tricarbonyl- ν6-fulgide chromium(0) complexes

Abstract

Three photochromic fulgides, E-1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)ethylidene(isopropylidene)succinic anhydride ( 5) and a mixture of E- and Z-1-(2′,4′,6′-trimethylphenyl)methylidene(isopropylidene)succinic anhydrides ( 10) and ( 11), were synthesised and reacted with chromium hexacarbonyl to give mixtures of the corresponding tricarbonyl- ν 6-fulgide chromium(0) complexes. No evidence for formation of the corresponding diene or enone complexes was obtained. Irradiation of the purified chromium arene complexes gave E Z isomerisation and decomposition of the complexes without photochromic ring closure.