Reactions of co-ordinated ligands. Part 19. Insertion reactions of acetylenes, methylenecyclopropane, and buta-1,3-diene with tricarbonyl(η⁵-indenyl)methylmolybdenum and dicarbonyl(η⁵-indenyl)methyliron

Abstract

Reaction of [MoMe(CO)(η6-C9H7)] with but-2-yne affords the vinyl ketone complex [[graphic omitted]}(CO)2(η5-C9H7)]. In contrast, 3,3-dimethylbut-1-yne reacts under similar conditions to give consecutively [[graphic omitted]}(CO)2(η5-C9H7)] and the η3-pyranyl complex [Mo{η3-[graphic omitted]}(CO)2(η5-C9H7)]. But-2-yne and 3,3-dimethylbut-1-yne react with [FeMe(CO)2(η5-C9H7)] to give the corresponding vinyl ketone complexes. Methylenecyclopropane reacts slowly with [MoMe(CO)3(η5-C9H7)] to give the 1,2-ring-opened complex [Mo{η3-anti-CH(Me)C(COMe)CH2}(CO)2(η5-C9H7)] and with buta-1,3-diene to afford [Mo{η3-CH2CHCHCH2(COMe)}(CO)2(η5-C9H7)]. The mechanism of formation of these products is discussed.