Preparation and reactions of triphenylphosphine and triphenyl phosphite complexes of (benzylideneacetone)dicarbonyliron(0)

Abstract

(Benzylideneacetone)dicarbonyl(triphenylphosphine)iron(0), [Fe(bda)(CO)2(PPh3)], has been prepared by irradiating [Fe(CO)4(PPh3)], in benzene, in the presence of benzylideneacetone (bda). The related triphenyl phosphite complex has been prepared thermally. These complexes are found to be useful precursors for the preparation of complexes of the type [Fe(diene)(CO)2L](L = a phosphine or phosphite ligand), offering a significant advance over the previously reported routes.