Stability and the gas chromatography of alkyl-substituted η 6-benzenetricarbonylchromium(O) complexes

Abstract

Thermoanalytical and gas chromatographic data are reported for benzenetricarbonylchromium(0) and nine of its methyl- and t-butyl-substituted derivatives. The distinct trends found for the volatilities, thermal stabilities, air stabilities and gas chromatographic retentions with increasing alkyl substitution are interpreted in terms of Cr ligand bond energies and polarity and steric effects. Satisfactory chromatographic behaviour was observed only when highly inert columns were used, and when the solutions were deaerated and stored in the dark.