(h 6-Arene)Cr(CO)3 complexes are only moderately air sensitive and can easily and inexpensively be prepared from most of the arenes already found in organic stockrooms. Since instructors can have each student prepare a different complex, they are ideal targets for student directed "discovery research" lab projects. Teams of students can compare how their syntheses and the physical, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of their products vary as a function of the arenes’ structures. The resulting empirical structure/property correlations can then be rationalized in terms of various bonding models. A discussion of (h 6-arene)Cr(CO)3 chemistry suitable for student handouts is included along with suggestions for extending this experiment to create multi-step organic and inorganic synthesis projects. In addition, generic procedures for the syntheses using relatively simple glassware, example reaction procedures at both micro and conventional scales, practical hints for carrying out the syntheses, a discussion of substituent effects on arene suitability, lists of required equipment, and diagrams of the assembled glassware are included. Characterization data for over five dozen (h 6-Arene)Cr(CO)3 complexes are tabulated. These data are particularly suitable for use as lecture, examination, and/or problem set examples in discussions of the relationships between structure, bonding, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and reactivity in organometallic chemistry.

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Key indicatorsSingle-crystal X-ray study T = 100 K Mean '(C±C) = 0.002 A Ê R factor = 0.022 wR factor = 0.057 Data-to-parameter ratio = 19.9For details of how these key indicators were automatically derived from the article, see http://journals.iucr.org/e. # 2004 International Union of Crystallography Printed in Great Britain ± all rights reservedThe single-crystal structure of the title compound, [NiBr 2 (C 13 H 13 P) 2 ], was determined by X-ray diffraction at 100 K. The molecule has approximately tetrahedral geometry and exhibits twofold symmetry in the solid state.