Synthesis of iron arylphosphonate complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00102a026

Reactions of cationic iron complexes bearing aryl phosphite ligands, (η-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(L)⁺BF ₄^- [L = P-(OPh)₃ or P(O-p-tolyl)₃] and (η-C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)₂ [P(OPh)₃]⁺-BF₄^-, with aqueous base give the corresponding phosphonate complexes quickly and in good yields. Alternatively, (η-C₅H₅)Mo(CO)₃[P(OEt)₃] ⁺BF₄^- and trans-Mn-(CO)₄[P(OPh)₃]₂⁺BF ₄^- give hydrides under the same reaction conditions. A pathway involving intramolecular oxygen transfer from intermediate metallocarboxylate anions is suggested to account for the results with the iron compounds.