Bimetallic activation of coordinated ligands. Reactions of the Lewis acid (η-C5H5)(CO)3Mo+ PF6- with organo-iron and -molybdenum η1-methoxymethyl and ethyl complexes

Abstract

The organometallic Lewis acid Cp(CO)3Mo+ PF6- reacts with organo-iron and -molybdenum methoxymethyl and ethyl complexes via methoxide and/or hydride abstraction. Thus, Cp(CO)3MoCH2OCH3 and Cp(CO)(L)FeCH2OCH3 (L = CO, PPh3) produce the corresponding methoxymethylidene salts Mo or FeCHOCH3+ and Mo or Fe methyl complexes as primary products, the latter resulting from hydride transfer to methylidene intermediates Mo or FeCH2+. Analogous ethyl complexes afford the μ-[η2-C,O]propionyl compound [Cp(CO)2Mo]2C(O)CH2CH3+ and the η2-ethylene salt Cp(CO)(PPh3)Fe(CH2CH2)+ as primary products. © 1985.