Two-electron transfer catalysis of carbon monoxide exchange1 with a ligand in hexacarbonyldi-iron compounds [(µ-RS)2Fe2(CO)6]

Abstract

Two-electron reduction of [(µ-RS)₂Fe₂(CO)₆](R = alkyl) leads to labile dianionic species which lose CO and decay or, in the presence of a ligand (L) such as P(OMe)₃, are involved in a chain reaction affording successively [(µ-RS)₂Fe₂(CO)₅L] and [(µ-RS)₂Fe₂(CO)₄L₂].