Preparation and electrochemistry of mixed nuclear complexes (OC)3 CrAreneCCo3(CO)9

Abstract

Four new mixed nuclear complexes of general formula (OC)3CrAreneCCo3(CO)9, prepared by reacting (OC)3-CrAreneHgAreneCr(Co)3 with HCCo3(CO)9, were characterized by elemental analyses, i.r. and u.v. spectra. The complexes were electrochemically oxidized in acetone solution by an irreversible multi-electron process at ambient temperature, but displayed a chemically reversible one-electron process at −25°C. The resulting stable cation was easily attacked by nucleophiles such as PPh3. The results indicated that low-temperature cyclic voltammetry(LTCV) in acetone might be a useful way to study (arene)tricarbonylchromium complexes.