Transition-metal carbonyl derivatives of the Germanes. Part III. Germyl(carbonyl)iron complexes

Abstract

Reaction between chlorogermane and Na2Fe(CO)4 in n-nutane affords digermyltetracarbonyliron, (GeH3)2Fe(CO)4(I) and monogermylhydridotetracarbonyliron, GeH3(H)Fe(CO)4(II) together with H2Fe(CO)4(III). Germyl-(cyclopentadienyl)dicarbonyliron, GeH3Fe(C5H5)(CO)2(IV) can be obtained similarly from NaFe(C5H5)(CO)2. Physical properties, i.r., Raman, 1H n.m.r., and mass spectra of (I) and (II) are consistent with their fomulation as monomeric, cis-octahedral structures, allowing assignment of vibrational spectra in terms of C2v and C8 symmetry respectively. Gas-phase i.r. data for (III) in the range 4000–350 cm–1 are also reported and partially assigned. Reaction of (I) with HCl gives (II) in 46% yield; interaction of solid (I) with HgCl2 results in Ge–Fe bond cleavage with the formation of GeH3Cl, GeH4, and HCl.