The Synthesis and Characterization of Rhenium(o)-Nitrile Complexes Re2(CO)9,8(RCN)1,2

Abstract

The complexes Re₂(CO)9, 8(RCN), 2 (R = CH₃, CH₃CH₂, CH₃CH₂CH₂, (CH₃)₂CH) were prepared via the amine-oxide assisted reaction of Re₂(CO)₁₀ with the appropriate organonitrile. The complexes were characterized by i.r., ¹H and ¹³C n.m.r. and mass spectroscopy. The RCN ligands preferentially occupy equatorial sites, although some minor axial-substitution occurs with the more bulky ligands. Unlike species such asOs₃(CO)₁₁,₁₀(CH₃CN)_1,2, the nitrile ligands of Re₂(CO)_9,8(RCN)_1,2 are not displaced by nucleophiles under mild conditions.