Darstellung und Reaktionen des Tetrahedran-Moleküls Fe2(CO)6(P-tert-C4H9)2 / Preparation and Reactions of the Tetrahedrane Molecule Fe2(CO)6(P-tert-C4H9)2

Abstract

The Fe2P2 tetrahedrane compound Fe2(CO)6(P -tBu)2 has been obtained by oxidation of Fe2(CO)6(μ-PFtBu)2. Due to its short (206 pm) P-P bond it can be called a diphosphene com­plex. In contrast to this the P-P bond is its principal centre of reactivity: CO, C2H4, and C2H2 (with concomitant hydrogenation) are inserted. H2 and HCl are added with P-P cleavage, and reductive cleavage occurs with LiBHEt3. The crystal structures of the title compound and of its CO and C2H4 insertion products have been determined.