Synthesis of tetramethyldisilane-bridged bis(1-indenyl) tetracarbonyl di-iron: A novel thermal rearrangement reaction between the Si-Si and Fe-Fe bonds

Abstract

The title complex (Me 2SiSiMe 2)(η 5-l-indenyl)Fe(CO)] 2(μ-CO) 2 ( 1) was prepared by the reaction of 1,2-bis(1-indenyl)tetramethyl-disilane and Fe(CO) 5 in refluxing heptane. Its thermal rearrangement product [Me 2Si(η 5-1-indenyl)Fe(CO) 2] 2 ( 2) was also obtained from the reaction. 1 in refluxing xylene can be readily converted into 2. The crystal structures of the cis isomer 1c and the trans isomer 2t were determined by X-ray diffraction.