The mechanism of substitution of (π-olefin)iron tetracarbonyl complexes by triphenylphosphine: Solvent effects

Abstract

The reaction: (π-CH 2=CHPh)Fe(CO) 4 + (2α)PPh 3 → α Fe(CO) 4PPh 3 + (1α)Fe(CO) 3(PPh 3) 2 + CH 2=CHPh + (1α)CO has been studied in dichloromethane, acetone, acetonitrile, isopropyl ether and n-hexane. The kinetics indicate that the reaction mechanism is the same as that in toluene. The solvent and temperature effects on the α/1α ratio further confirm the nature of the proposed intermediates.