The Photochemically-Induced Degradation of (η5-C5H5)M(CO)3CH3 Complexes (M = Cr, Mo, W)

Abstract

The photolysis of (η5-C5H5)M(CO)3CH3 complexes (M = Cr, Mo, W) in solvents such as pentane, benzene or tetrahydrofuran results in cleavage of the methyl-metal sigma-bond and formation of the corresponding [(η5-C5H5)M(CO)3]2 analogs as well as methane. Deuterium labeling studies indicate that, for the molybdenum system, abstraction of a hydrogen atom from a cyclopentadienyl ring by the methyl group represents a major reaction pathway for the production of methane. Photolysis of (η5-C5H5)M(CO)3CH3 complexes in CHCl3 produces high yields of [(η5-C5H5)CrCl2]2 in the case of the chromium analog, or (η5-C5H5)M(CO)3Cl where M = Mo or W.