Ring contraction and other reactions of azidobenzene-and azidotoluene-tricarbonylmanganese cations

Abstract

Azidobenzene- and azidotoluene-tricarbonylmanganese cations are reduced to the corresponding aniline and toluiden complexes not ony by lithium aluminium hydride but also by azide ion in polar solvents. Direct substitution of the azido group by methoxy occurs with sodium methoxide in methanol. Above 130°C nitrogen is lost from the azido compounds and ring contraction occurs yielding the corresponding (cyanocyclopentadienyl)tricarbonylmanganese complexes.