The reduction of Fe2(CO)9 with elemental lithium in THF solution at room temperature
generates the dinuclear complex [Li2(THF)6Fe2(CO)8] (1), in which the Li atoms are bonded
to the oxygen atoms of bridging CO groups. Dissolution of 1 in toluene leads to loss of two
THF molecules to give the polymeric complex [Li2(THF)4Fe2(CO)8]
n
(2); dimeric units (n =
2) are formed with the help of a planar Li2O2 ring, and these units are further linked by
Li−O contacts to terminal carbonyl groups. Alkylation of 1 with MeSO3CF3 yields the known
dinuclear compound [(CO)3Fe(μ-C(Me)O)2Fe(CO)3] (4). Treatment of 1 with Me3SnCl leads
to splitting of the Fe−Fe bond, resulting in cis-[CO)4Fe(SnMe3)2] (6) as the main product.
The X-ray structures of 1, 2, and 4 are presented along with the structure of the sodium
salt [Na2(THF)4Fe2(CO)8]
n
(5), which has only terminal CO groups.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.