The synthesis, structure, and reactivity of a di-rhenium octacarbonyl µ-carbene complex; molecular structure of [Re2{µ-(η1,η3-CH·CH·CMe2)}(CO)8]

Abstract

Reaction of [Re₂(µ-H)(µ-CHCHEt)(CO)₈] with 3,3-dimethylcyclopropene leads to C–C bond cleavage and formation of the µ-carbene complex [Re₂{µ-(η¹,η³-CH·CH·CMe₂)}(CO)₈]; this reacts with CO to form [Re₂{µ-(η¹,η³CH·CH·CMe₂)}(CO)₉]; which on u.v. irradiation undergoes C–H bond cleavage with formation of the η¹,η²-butadienyl hydride [Re₂(µ-H)(µ-CHCH·CMeCH₂)(CO)₈].