Regiospecific Activation of C–H Bonds in Fe⁺ Complexes of ω‐Silyl‐substituted Alkanenitriles Caused by Metal‐Ion‐Mediated Cooperative Effects of Functional Groups

Abstract

In contrast to the monofunctinal compounds (i.e. 8,8‐dimethylnonanenitrile and n ‐heptyltrimethylsilane) the Fe + complex of 7‐trimethylsilyheptanenitrile (2‐Fe + ) exhibits a unique reactivity in the gas phase which can only be explained by invoking a metal‐ion‐mediated cooperation of the SiMe 3 and the CN group resulting in the regiospecific activation of C–H bonds. In contrast tot he Fe + complexes of the monofunctional molecules, no C–C bond activation is observed for 2–Fe + .