MeLi reactions with the electrophile system of (η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2I/P(OMe) 3: The roles of MeLi as reductant, nucleophile, and base

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om981001r

The three roles of MeLi-nucleophile, base and reductant-could be revealed by the electrophile system of (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂I (1) and P(OMe)₃. The addition of MeLi dropwise without delay to the 1:1 mixture results in (η4-exo-MeC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂P(OMe)₃ (3), where MeLi is a reductant at the first stage and then a nucleophile at the second stage. On the other hand, the addition of a catalytic amount of MeLi to the mixture of 1 and excess P(OMe)₃, followed by the MeLi/MeI sequence after a delay time, results in the formation of [η⁵-C₅H_4- {P(O)(OMe)₂}]-Fe(CO){P(OMe)₃}Me (7), where MeLi is a reductant at the initial stage and a base at the latter stage.