Thermal Decomposition of bis(cyclopentadienyl)hafnium compounds and their deuterated analogues

Thermal decomposition ranges of Cp₂HfR_, (R = Me, Ph) have been found by the DTA method. The thermal stability of hafnium derivatives greatly exceeds the stability of analogous titanium and zirconium compounds. Decomposition of Cp₂HfR₂ occurs by abstraction of σ-bonded groups which convert into RH. Hydrogen donors for the RH formation are both π-cyclopentadienyl and σ-bonded groups. The initial π-Cp₂Hf structure rearranges to form the (η⁵-Cp)-(η⁵,η¹-C₅H₄)Hf fragment. These react with HCl to produce Cp₂HfCl₂. It has been established that hydrogen exchange between cyclopentadienyl rings and methyl groups occurs during the thermal decomposition of Cp₂HfMe₂. As a result of the exchange process on thermal decomposition of Cp₂HfMe₂-d6, deuterium insertion into the cyclopentadienyl ring has been shown. The participation of solvent during the decomposition process of the hafnium derivatives has been studied.     

Metallocene‐mediated cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐methyl‐ and 2‐phenyl‐oxazoline

The cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline and 2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline was efficiently used using bis(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)dimethyl zirconium, Cp₂ZrMe₂, or bis(η⁵‐tert‐butyl‐cyclopentadienyl)dimethyl hafnium in combination with either tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate or tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate dimethylanilinum salt as initiation systems. The evolution of polymer yield, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution with time was examined. In addition, the influence of the initiation system and the monomer on the control of the polymerization was studied. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 000: 000–000, 2011     

Polymerization of acrylates and bulky methacrylates with the use of zirconocene precursors: Block copolymers with methyl methacrylate

The polymerization behavior of cyclohexyl methacrylate and trimethylsilyloxyethyl methacrylate with the catalytic system Cp₂ZrMe₂/B(C₆F₅)₃/ZnEt₂ was examined. Block copolymers of these bulky methacrylates with methyl methacrylate (MMA), having high molecular weights and relatively narrow molecular weight distributions, were prepared. n‐Butyl acrylate and tert‐butyl acrylate were polymerized with various catalytic systems based on zirconocene complexes. These polymerizations seemed to proceed to a nonquantitative yield, producing polymers with high molecular weights and relatively low polydispersities. This behavior indicated the presence of termination reactions in the initiation step, which appeared to be faster than the propagation step. Block copolymers of these acrylates with MMA were synthesized with the catalytic system rac‐Et(Ind)₂ZrMe₂/[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻[Me₂NHPh]⁺/ZnEt₂, starting from the polymerization of MMA. The block copolymers produced were well defined in most cases, as indicated by size exclusion chromatography, NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3337–3348, 2005     

Polymerization of higher α‐olefins using a Cs‐symmetry hafnium metallocene catalyst. Kinetics of the polymerization and microstructural analysis

The C_s‐symmetry hafnium metallocene [(p‐Et₃Si)C₆H₄]₂C(2,7‐di‐tert‐BuFlu)(C₅H₄)Hf(CH₃)₂ and tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate dimethylanilinium salt ([B(C₆F₅)₄]^?[Me₂NHPh]⁺) were used as the catalytic system for the polymerization of higher α‐olefins (from hexene‐1 to hexadecene‐1) in toluene at 0 °C. The evolution of the polymerization was studied regarding the variation of the molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and yield with time. The effect of the monomer structure on the polymerization kinetics was established. The role of trioctylaluminum in accelerating the polymerization was investigated. ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was used to study the microstructure of the poly(α‐olefins) by the determination of the pentad monomer sequences. The thermal properties of the polymers were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry, DSC. The results were discussed in connection with the polymer microstructure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4314–4325, 2009     

Photochemical Ring Slippage of Bis(pentafluorophenyl)titanocene: Reaction kinetics and matrix isolation of the primary photoproduct

Laser flash photolysis and matrix-isolation techniques were applied to elucidate the photochemistry of the orange complex bis(pentafluorophenyl)titanocene ( = bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)bis(pentafluorophenyl)titanium- (IV), Cp₂Ti^IV{C₆F₅}₂, Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅, 1 ) which is used as a polymerization photo-initiator. The primary photo-reaction of 1 is the formation of a highly reactive blue isomer X with unit quantum yield. In carefully dried and degassed benzene solution, the photoisomer X rearranges to starting material 1 with a first-order reaction, k = 5 · 10³ s^?1 at room temperature. X is highly reactive towards H₂O, MeOH, acetone, MeCN, MeNO₂, butane-1,4-diyl diacrylate, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxide, CO, O₂, and N₂; absolute bimolecular rate constants range from 10⁶ to 10⁹ M ^?1 · s^?1. The primary photoisomerization 1→X is tentatively ascribed to a cyclopentadienyl ring slippage from η⁵ to a lower hapticity, a process that opens up coordinative unsaturation.     

(1,3-Diformylindenyl)cyclopentadienyl ruthenium derivatives

The reaction of [CpRu(CH₃CN)₃][PF₆], [Cp*RuCl] _n , and [Cp^FRuCl]n with 1,3-diformylindene results in the predominant formation of zwitter-ionic arene-cyclopentadienyl complexes {η⁶-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCp (Cp = C₅H₅), {η⁶-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCp* (Cp* = C₅Me₅), and {η⁶-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCp^F (Cp^F = C₅Me₄CF₃), respectively. The ruthenocenes {η⁵-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCp, {η⁵-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCp*, and {η⁵-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCpF were synthesized by the reaction of 1,3-diformylindenyl potassium with [CpRu(CH₃CN)₃][PF₆], [Cp*RuCl] _n , and [Cp^FRuCl] _n .     

The influence of differently substituted cyclopentadienyl CpR ligands on the reactivity of [CpRFe(CO)2]2 with yellow arsenic

The influence of differently substituted cyclopentadienyl Cp^R ligands on the reaction outcome of [Cp^RFe(CO)₂]₂ (Cp^R = C₅Me₅, EtC₅Me₄, 1,3-Bu₂tC₅H₃) with As₄ is examined. For C₅Me₅ and EtC₅Me₄, the pentaarsaferrocene derivatives [Cp^RFe(η⁵-As₅)] are formed together with [(Cp^RFe)₃As₆] and [(Cp^RFe)₃As₆{(η³-As₃)Fe}], while for 1,3-Bu₂^tC₅H₃ only [(Cp^RFe)₃As₆] is formed. The reaction of [(Me₅C₅Fe)₃As₆{(η³-As₃)Fe}] with Tl⁺ leads to [{(Me₅C₅Fe)₃As₆Fe}₂(μ,η³:η³-As₃)]²⁺ representing an unexpected dicationic cluster.     

Photochemical and thermal reactions of η5-cyclopentadienyltetracarbonylvanadium and bis(pentafluorophenyl)acetylene

The photolysis of (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)₄ in the presence of one or two equivalents of bis(pentafluorophenyl)acetylene yields (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)₂(C₆F₅CCC₆F₅). One carbon monoxide ligand in this acetylene adduct can be photochemically displaced by triphenylphosphine to yield (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)[P(C₆H₅)₃](C₆F₅CCC₆F₅). This complex is also obtained by the photolysis of (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)₃P(C₆H₅)₃ in the presence of bis(pentafluorophenyl)acetylene. In vacuo, melt-phase thermolysis of (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)₂(C₆F₅CCC₆F₅) and bis(pentafluorophenyl)acetylene produces (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)(C₆F₅CCC₆F₅)₂. This diacetylenic complex as well as the perfluorinated organic compounds 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone, 2,3,4,5-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)cyclopentadienone and 2,3,4,5,6,7-hexakis(pentafluorophenyl)cycloheptatrienone are also obtained from thermal reactions of (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)₄ and bis(pentafluorophenyl)acetylene in solution. Photolysis of (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)(C₆F₅CCC₆F₅)₂ in the presence of carbon monoxide produces (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)₂(C₆F₅CCC₆F₅). The photochemical and thermal reactions of bis(pentafluorophenyl)acetylene and (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)₄ are compared and contrasted with similar reactions of diphenylacetylene and (η⁵-C₅H₅)V(CO)₄.     

Ethylene–Norbornene Copolymerization by Rare-Earth Metal Complexes and by Carbon Nanotube-Supported Metallocene Catalysis

E–N copolymerization with a number of half-sandwich rare-earth metal compounds [M(η5-C₅Me₄SiMe₂R)(η1-CH₂SiMe₃)₂(L)] (M = Sc, Y, Lu) has been achieved. Mainly atactic alternating E N copolymers are obtained with all catalytic systems. Interestingly, copolymers arising from [Sc(η5-C₅Me₄SiMe₂C₆F₅)(η¹-CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)]/[/[Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] possess narrower molar mass distributions than those from [Sc(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η¹-CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)] / [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄]. In addition, homogeneous surface coating of multi-walled carbon nanotubes is accomplished for the first time by in situ E–N copolymerization as catalyzed by rac-Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MMAO-3A anchored onto the carbon nanotube surface. The copolymerization reaction allows for the destructuration of the native nanotube bundles. The relative quantity of E N copolymer can be tuned up as well as the norbornene content in the formed copolymers and accordingly their glass transition temperature. By melt blending with an ethylene-vinyl-co-acetate copolymer (27 wt.-% vinyl acetate comonomer) matrix, high performance polyolefinic nanocomposites are obtained.     

Silyl‐functionalized polyolefins via co‐polymerization of vinylsilanes with ethylene or propylene catalyzed by group IV metallocene complexes

Vinylsilanes CH₂CHSiR₃ (R = Me, NMe₂, OMe, OTMS) copolymerize with ethylene rapidly in the presence of catalytic amounts of [Cp′₂ZrMe][MeB(C₆F₅)₃] (Cp′ = η⁵‐C₅Me₅) ( I ) to give high molecular weight silyl‐functionalized polyethylene. The molecular weight of the polymer can be controlled by varying the comonomer concentration as well as the reaction temperature. Relatively low molecular weight polymer was produced at a higher silyl monomer concentration and a higher polymerization temperature. The incorporation of silyl monomer in the polymer is in the range of 0.1‐ 6.0%. On the other hands, catalysts [Cp₂ZrMe][MeB(C₆F₅)₃] (Cp′ = η⁵‐C₅H₅) ( II ) and [Cp″₂ZrMe][MeB(C₆F₅)₃] (Cp″ = η⁵‐1,2‐C₅Me₂H₃) ( III ) show much lower activity. With the use of more coordinatively unsaturated constrained geometry catalysts (CGC), Me₂Si(η⁵‐C₅Me₄)(N^tBu)MMe][MeB(C₆F₅)₃] ( IV , M = Zr; V , M = Ti), the silyl monomer incorporation in the polymer was increased to 40%. The Ti catalyst is more active and produces polymer with a higher molecular weight with a higher silyl monomer incorporation at 23 °C. The copolymerization of vinyltrimethylsilane with propylene was also investigated with these catalysts, yielding high silyl‐functionalized propylene copolymer/oligmer. The microstructure of the copolymers/oligomers has been thoroughly investigated by 1D and 2D NMR techniques (¹H, ¹³C, NOE, DEPT, HETCOR, and FLOCK). The results show that the backbone of the copolymers/oligomers is essentially random. Several termination pathways have been identified. In particular, two unsaturated silyl terminations, cis and/or trans‐TMS CHCH , were identified with the constrained geometry catalysts. Their formation was rationalized based on transition state models. It was found that occasional 1,2‐insertion of either propylene or vinyltrimethylsilane into the chain propagation process has a high probability serving as the trigger for polymer chain termination via β‐H elimination. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1308–1321     

Syndioselective propylene polymerization catalyzed by rac-2,2-dimethylpropylidene (1-η5-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η5-fluorenyl) dichlorozirconium

Syndioselective propylene polymerization has been promoted by rac-2,2-dimethylpropylidene (1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-fluorenyl) dichlorozirconium ( 1 ). The active catalytic species were generated using either triphenylcarbenium tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate ( 2 ) (Zr⁺ method) or methylaluminoxane (MAO method). The former exhibited much higher activity than the latter, especially at low polymerization temperatures (T_p). Syndiotactic poly (propylene) (s-PP) obtained at T_p = ?20°C has T_m approaching 160°C, [rrrr] pentad fraction of 0.92 to 0.95, and 45% crystallinity (X_c). It crystallized in two antichiral unit cells B and C. The C structure is favored by low temperature of polymerization, slow crystallization from melt, and annealing. The s-PP has M?_w/M?_n ranging from 3.6 to 4.4, which can be separated into stereoregular fractions soluble in heptane and hexane and stereoirregular fractions soluble in pentane, ether, and acetone. Therefore, this system cannot be considered to be a single-site catalyst. A parallel study was made on the isopropylidene (1-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) (1-η⁵-fluorenyl) dichlorozirconium ( 3 )/MAO catalyst. Molecular mechanics calculations were performed for all combinations of the configuration of asymmetric centers. The steric energy favors syndiotactic enchainment for both catalysts 1 and 3 , with 1 forming the more syndioselective catalyst. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Homoannular disubstituted ruthenocenes containing a trifluoromethyl(tetramethyl)cyclopentadienyl ligand

The reaction of the divalent ruthenium complexes [Cp^FRuCl]_n and [Cp^FRu(MeCN)₃]PF₆ with substituted pentafulvenes 1,2-(Me₂NCH)(CO₂Et)C₅H₃ and 1,3-(Me₂NCH)(CO₂Et)- C₅H₃ followed by hydrolysis affords new homoannular disubstituted ruthenocenes {1,2- (CO₂Et)(CHO)C₅H₃}RuCp^F and {1,3-(CO₂Et)(CHO)C₅H₃}RuCp^F (Cp^F = C₅Me₄CF₃), re- spectively.     

Reduction of (1,3-diformylindenyl)cyclopentadienylruthenium derivatives

The reduction of the (1,3-diformylindenyl)cyclopentadienylruthenium derivatives {η⁵-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCp (Cp = C₅H₅), {η⁵-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCp* (Cp* = C₅Me₅), and {η⁵-1,3-(CHO)₂C₉H₅}RuCpF (Cp^F = C₅Me₄CF₃) with NaBH₄ or LiAlH₄ under mild conditions affords the [1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)indenyl]cyclopentadienylruthenium complexes {η⁵-1,3-(CH₂OH)₂C₉H₅}RuCp, {η⁵-1,3-(CH₂OH)₂C₉H₅}RuCp*, and {η⁵-1,3-(CH₂OH)₂C₉H₅}-RuCp^F, respectively, in good yields.     

Structures and Properties of Spherical 90‐Vertex Fullerene‐Like Nanoballs

By applying the proper stoichiometry of 1:2 to [Cp^RFe(η⁵‐P₅)] and CuX (X=Cl, Br) and dilution conditions in mixtures of CH₃CN and solvents like CH₂Cl₂, 1,2‐Cl₂C₆H₄, toluene, and THF, nine spherical giant molecules having the simplified general formula [Cp^RFe(η⁵‐P₅)]@[{Cp^RFe(η⁵‐P₅)}₁₂{CuX}₂₅(CH₃CN)₁₀] (Cp^R=η⁵‐C₅Me₅ (Cp*); η⁵‐C₅Me₄Et (Cp^Et); X=Cl, Br) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The products consist of 90‐vertex frameworks consisting of non‐carbon atoms and forming fullerene‐like structural motifs. Besides the mostly neutral products, some charged derivatives have been isolated. These spherical giant molecules show an outer diameter of 2.24 (X=Cl) to 2.26 nm (X=Br) and have inner cavities of 1.28 (X=Cl) and 1.20 nm (X=Br) in size. In most instances the inner voids of these nanoballs encapsulate one molecule of [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐P₅)], which reveals preferred orientations of π–π stacking between the cyclo‐P₅ rings of the guest and those of the host molecules. Moreover, π–π and σ–π interactions are also found in the packing motifs of the balls in the crystal lattice. Electrochemical investigations of these soluble molecules reveal one irreversible multi‐electron oxidation at E_p=0.615 V and two reduction steps (?1.10 and ?2.0 V), the first of which corresponds to about 12 electrons. Density functional calculations reveal that during oxidation and reduction the electrons are withdrawn or added to the surface of the spherical nanomolecules, and no Cu²⁺ species are involved.     

Living polymerization of propylene and 1-hexene using bis-Cp type metallocene catalysts

To check the possibility of living polymerization with a biscyclopentadienyl metallocene, propylene polymerization was conducted by Cp₂ZrMe₂ at –78°C or Cp₂HfMe₂ at –50°C using B(C₆F₅)₃ and AlOct₃ as a cocatalyst. The polymer yield increased linearly with polymerization time. The polypropylene obtained showed narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n 1.04–1.15). In addition, the number-average molecular weight increased in proportion to the polymerization time. It was, thus, found that living polymerization of propylene proceeds with the catalyst systems at a very low temperature. Isospecific living polymerization of 1-hexene also proceeded with the rac-(et)Ind₂ZrMe₂ catalyst at –78°C.     

The effect of trifluoromethyl groups in the para positions of a perfluoroaryl phosphine: A comparison of the structures of [{η,κP-C5Me4CH2C6F3X-5-P(C6F4X-4)-2-CH2P(C6F4X-4)2}RhCl2], X = F and CF3

The complex [{η⁵,κP-C₅Me₄CH₂C₆F₃CF₃-5-P(C₆F₄CF₃-4)-2-CH₂P(C₆F₄CF₃-4)₂}RhCl₂] (2) was formed by dehydrofluorinative carbon-carbon coupling in the reaction between bis{bis(4-trifluoromethyltetrafluorophenyl)phosphino}methane and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂. The structure of 2 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and compared to that of the pentafluorophenyl analogue [{η⁵,κP-C₅Me₄CH₂C₆F₄P(C₆F₅)-2-CH₂P(C₆F₅)₂}RhCl₂] (3). The presence of the trifluoromethyl groups, although not affecting the local structure about rhodium, disrupts the packing and consequently the structure of the two complexes is very different. The structure of 2 contains channels about 3-fold axes comprising fluoroaryl cavities separated by aliphatic constrictions arising from hexagonal rings of alternating enantiomers.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of tetramethylphospholyl complexes of scandium

Reaction of 2 equiv. of (C₄Me₄P)Li(tmeda) (tmeda = tetraethylenediamine) with 1 equiv. of ScCl₃(THF)₃ gave the new compound (η⁵-C₄Me₄P)₂ScCl₂Li(tmeda) (1), which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. A phospholyl moiety in 1 is labile, as demonstrated by reactions of 1 with LiCH(SiMe₃)₂ and Cp^∗Li (Cp^∗ = C₅Me₅) to afford, respectively, (η⁵-Me₄C₄P)Sc[CH(SiMe₃)₂]Cl₂Li(tmeda) (4) and (η⁵-Me₄C₄P)Cp^∗ScCl₂Li(tmeda) (5). Attempts to generate alkyl derivatives of the general type (η⁵-C₄Me₄P)₂ScR (R = alkyl) were unsuccessful.     

Dimeric uranium complexes with bridging phospholyl ligands. Crystal structure of [{U(η5-C4Me4P)(μ-η5-C4Me4P)(BH4)}2]

In the symmetrical crystal structure of [{U(η⁵-C₄Me₄P)(μ-η⁵,η¹-C₄Me₄P)(BH₄)}₂], the U-P bond distances for the terminal and bridging η⁵-phospholyl ligands are 2.945(3) and 2.995(3) Å respectively, and the U-P (η¹-phospholyl) bond length is equal to 2.996(3) Å; the tridentate borohydride ligands are cis to the (UP)₂ ring. The cis and trans isomers of [{U(Cp¹)(μ-η⁵,η¹C₄ Me₄P)(BH₄)}₂] (Cp¹ = η⁵-C₅Me₅) are in equilibrium in toluene.     

Synthesis and Insertion Chemistry of Mixed Tether Uranium Metallocene Complexes

The synthesis of mixed tethered alkyl uranium metallocenes has been investigated by examining the reactivity of the bis(tethered alkyl) metallocene [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)₂U] ( 1 ) with substrates that react with only one of the U? C linkages. The effect of these mixed tether coordination environments on the reactivity of the remaining U? C bond has been studied by using CO insertion chemistry. One equivalent of azidoadamantane (AdN₃) reacts with 1 to yield the mixed tethered alkyl triazenido complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂‐CH₂NNN‐Ad‐κ²N^1,3)]. Similarly, a single equivalent of CS₂ reacts with 1 to form the mixed tethered alkyl dithiocarboxylate complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂‐ CH₂C(S)₂‐κ²S,S′)], a reaction that constitutes the first example of CS₂ insertion into a U⁴⁺? C bond. Complex 1 reacts with one equivalent of pyridine N‐oxide by C? H bond activation of the pyridine ring to form a mixed tethered alkyl cyclometalated pyridine N‐oxide complex [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)U(C₆H₄NO‐κ²C,O)]. The remaining (η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂‐κC)^2? ligand in each of these mixed tethered species show reactivity towards CO and tethered enolate ligands form by insertion. Subsequent rearrangement have been identified in [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)U(C₅H₄NO‐κ²C,O)(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂C(?CH₂)O‐κO)] and [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂NNN‐Ad‐κ²N^1,3)U(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₂C(?CH₂)O‐κO)].     

Photolytic Reactions of (o-Allylbenzyl)dicarbonyl(η5-cyclopentadienyl)iron

Photolysis of (o-allylbenzyl)dicarbonyl(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)iron ( 4 ) at 20° in CH₂Cl₂ leads to carbon-monoxide loss followed by intramolecular complexation to [η²-(o-allylbenzyl)]carbonyl(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)iron ( 13 ). At 50° in C₆D₆, a photochemical rearrangement proceeds forming carbonyl (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl){η³-[3-(2-methylphenyl)allyl]}iron ( 17 ). Depending on the temperature, photolysis of 4 leads to intermolecular reactions at the benzylic or allylic position of the π complexes 13 and 17 , respectively.