Synthesis of molybdenum and tungsten nonheteroatom stabilised carbene complexes M(SnPh3)(CO)2(CPhR)(η-C5H5)(M = Mo, W; R = H, Me); and an example of triphenyltin to nonheteroatom stabilised carbene migration

Abstract

Treatment of M(SnPh₃)(CO)₂{CPh(OEt)}(η-C₅H₅)(M = Mo, W) with LiBEt₃H or MeLi followed by acid gives M(SnPh₃)(CO)₂(CPhR)(η-C₅H₅)(R = H, Me); one of these compounds, Mo(SnPh₃)(CO)₂(CHPh)(η-C₅H₅),undergoes a reversible SnPh₃ to nonheteroatom stabilised carbene migration at ambient temperature.