A salt of a metal−pyrylium σ-complex, pentacarbonyl-3-(2-methoxy-5,6-diphenylpyrylium)manganese(I) tetrafluoroborate (1BF
4
), has been prepared by the action of Mn(CO)5BF4 on
methyl propiolate and diphenylacetylene. The pyrylium complex shows unusual resistance
to electrophilic cleavage of the Mn−C bond by H+ and a low aptitude for migratory insertion
reactions. The complex was studied by spectroscopic, voltammetric, and controlled potential
electrolysis methods. 1BF
4
displays two ligand-based one-electron reductions (E
1° = −1.33
V, E
pc,2 = −2.41 V vs Fc), the first of which is Nernstian. Its reactivity is enhanced by one-electron reduction, and it undergoes subsequent dimerization in THF (k
273K = 285 M-1 s-1)
and CH2Cl2 (k
273K = 260 M-1 s-1) and a CO dissociation equilibrium (K ≈ 1.4 × 105, k = 0.7
s-1). In the presence of triphenylphosphine, a slow electrocatalytic CO-substitution reaction
occurs for which a mechanism and rate constants have been determined by digital simulation.
When 1BF4 is reduced in the presence of HSnPh3 and a proton donor, another electrocatalytic
process results, presumably forming H2 at the electrode surface.