Redox Reaction of Aromatic Aldehydes with Fe3(CO)12

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.64.118

Aromatic aldehydes react with Fe3(CO)12 in refluxing benzene ultimately to give arylmethyl alcohols and 1,2-diaryl-1,2-ethanedione in a 1:1 ratio.In some cases, small amounts of 2,4,5-triaryl-1,3-dioxolanes are formed as minor products.Dinuclear iron complex (1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanedioxido)Fe2(CO)7 has been isolated as an intermediate in the reaction of benzaldehyde with Fe3(CO)12.The mechanism of this redox reaction of aromatic aldehydes are discussed on the basis of the kinetic study of the reaction and also of the reactivity of the isolated dinuclear iron complex.