Thermochemistry of bis-arene- and arenetricarbonyl-chromium compounds containing hexamethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and naphthalene.

Microcalorimetric measurements at elevated temperatures of the heats of thermal decomposition and iodination have led to values of the standard enthalpies of formation of the following crystalline compounds (values given in kJ mol^?1) at 298K: [Cr(η⁶-1,3,5-C₆H₃(CH₃)₃)₂] = (63±12); [Cr(η⁶-C₆(CH₃)₆)₂] : -(88±12); [Cr(1,2,3,4,4a,8a-η-C₁₀H₈)₂] = (407±11); [Cr(CO)₃(1,2,3,4,4a,8a-η-C₁₀H₈)] = -(258±8). Separate measurements by the vacuum sublimation microcalorimetric technique gave the following values for the enthalpy of sublimation at 298K (kJ mol^?1) : [Cr(η⁶-1,3,5-C₆H₃(CH₃)₃)₂] = (104±1); [Cr(η⁶-C₆(CH₃)₆)₂] = (119±4); [Cr(CO)₃(1,2,3,4,4a,8a-η-C₁₀H₈)] = (107±3). From these and other data, the bond enthalpy contributions of the metal-ligand bonds in the gaseous metal complexes were evaluated as follows: [(η₆-C₆(CH₃)₆)-Cr] (155±7); [(η⁶-C₆H₃(CH₃)₃)-Cr] (151±6); [(1,2,3,4,4a, 8a-η-C₁₀H₈)-Cr](145±6) kJ mol^?1]The question of the transferability of the enthalpy contributions of chromium—ligand bonds between organochronium complexes is discussed with aid of information from structural and spectroscopic investigation. The limitations of the procedure are defined.The thermodynamic data are used to discuss various substitution, redistribution and exchange reaction of Cr(η-arene)₂ and [Cr(CO)₃(η-arene)] compounds.     

Conversion of allene into μ-dimethylcarbene at a diruthenium centre

Treatment of [Ru₂(CO)(μ-CO) {μ-C(O)C₂Ph₂} (η-C ₅H₅)₂] with allene in toluene at 100°C displaces diphenylacetylene and produces [Ru(CO)(η-C₅H₅)-{η³-C₃H₄Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)}]; upon protonation a 1-methylvinyl cation [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO){μ-C(Me)CH₂}(η-C₅H₅)₂]⁺ is formed which undergoes nucleophillic attack by hydride to yield the μ-dimethylcarbene complex [Ru₂(CO)₂-(μ-CO)(μ-CMe₂)(η-C₅H₅)₂].     

Intermediates in associative phosphine substitution reactions of (η5-C5H5)W(CO)2(NO)

The reaction of (η⁵-C₅H₅)W(CO)₂(NO), 6W, with P(CH₃)₃ proceeds rapidly at 25°C to give (η⁵-C₅H₅)W(CO)(NO)[P(CH₃)₃], 7W. The rate of formation of 7W was found to be 4.48 × 10^?2M^?1 [6W] [P(CH₃)₃] at 25.0°c in THF. In neat P(CH₃)₃ at ?23°C, 6W is converted to (η¹-C₅H₅)W(CO)₂(NO)[P(CH₃)₃]₂, 8W. In dilute solution, 8W decomposes to initially give a 2:1 mixture of 6W and 7W. The mixture is then converted to 7W. The reaction of (η⁵-C₅H₅)Mo(CO)(NO), 6Mo, with P(CH₃)₃ is 6.1 times faster than that of the tungsten analog.     

Isonitrilsynthesen am komplex: V. Desulfurierung von isothiocyanaten in carbonylmetallat-additions-verbindungen

The isocyanide complexes [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂CNR][PF₆] and Cr(CO)₅CNR (R = CH₃, C₆H₁₁, C₆H₅) are conveniently prepared at ?50°C from carbonyl metallates, isothiocyanates, and phosgene. At room temperature Na[Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂] reacts with isothiocyanates ($\text{1}\text{1}$) to give the isocyanide bridged complexes [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(μ-CO)(μ-CNR)(CO)₂].     

Molybdenum complexes containing substituted cyclopenta[l]phenanthrenyl ligand

The synthesis of new cyclopenta[l]phenanthrenyl complexes [(η⁵-C₁₇H₁₀Me)(η³-C₃H₅)Mo(CO)₂] and [(η⁵-C₁₇H₉(COOMe)N(CH₂)₄)(η³-C₃H₅)Mo(CO)₂] is described. Although these compounds are structural analogues their reactivity is different. Protonation of [(η⁵-C₁₇H₁₀Me)(η³-C₃H₅)Mo(CO)₂] gives a stable ionic compound [(η⁵-C₁₇H₁₀Me)Mo(CO)₂(NCMe)₂][BF₄] while its analogue containing both tertiary amino and carboxylic ester groups [(η⁵-C₁₇H₉(COOMe)N(CH₂)₄)(η³-C₃H₅)Mo(CO)₂] decomposes under the same conditions. [(η⁵-C₁₇H₁₀Me)Mo(CO)₂(NCMe)₂][BF₄] reacts with cyclopentadiene to give a stable η⁴-complex [(η⁴-C₅H₆)(η⁵-C₁₇H₁₀Me)Mo(CO)₂][BF₄] that was successfully oxidized to the Mo(IV) dicationic compound [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₁₇H₁₀Me)Mo(CO)₂][Br][BF₄].     

Synthesis and reactions of cycloheptadienyl and cyclooctadienyl tungsten complexes: X-ray crystal structure of [W(CO)2(PPh3)2(η-C7H9)][BF4]

Protonation of the cycloheptatriene complex [W(CO)₃(η⁶-C₇H₈)] with H[BF₄] · Et₂O in CH₂Cl₂ affords the cycloheptadienyl system [W(CO)₃(η⁵-C₇H₉)][BF₄] (1). Complex 1 reacts with NaI to yield [WI(CO)₃(η⁵-C₇H₉)], which is a precursor to [W(CO)₂(NCMe)₃(η³-C₇H₉)][BF₄], albeit in very low yield. The dicarbonyl derivatives [W(CO)₂L₂(η⁵-C₇H₉)]⁺ (L₂=2PPh₃, 4, or dppm, 5) were obtained, respectively, by H[BF₄] · Et₂O protonation of [W(CO)₂(PPh₃)(η⁶-C₇H₈)] in the presence of PPh₃ and reaction of 1 with dppm. The X-ray crystal structure of 4 (as a 1/2 CH₂Cl₂ solvate) reveals that the two PPh₃ ligands are mutually trans and are located beneath the central dienyl carbon and the centre of the edge bridge. The first examples of cyclooctadienyl tungsten complexes [WBr(CO)₂(NCMe)₂(1-3-η:5,6-C₈H₁₁)] (6) and [WBr(CO)₂(NCMe)₂(1-3-η:4,5-C₈H₁₁)] (7) were synthesised by reaction of [W(CO)₃(NCR)₃] (R=Me or Prⁿ) with 3-Br-1,5-cod/6-Br-1,4-cod or 5-Br-1,3-cod/3-Br-1,4-cod (cod=cyclooctadiene), respectively. Complexes 6 and 7 are precursors to the pentahapto-bonded cyclooctadienyl tungsten species [W(CO)₂(dppm)(1-3:5,6-η-C₈H₁₁)][BF₄] and [W(CO)₂(dppe)(1-5-η-C₈H₁₁)][BF₄] · CH₂Cl₂.     

Electrochemical substitution of a carbonyl group by a phosphorus ligand in arenechromium tricarbonyl complexes

Electrochemical oxidation of (η-1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃)Cr(CO)₃ in the presence of P(OEt)₃ with subsequent electrochemical reduction results in the formation of a (η-1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃)Cr(CO)₂[P(OEt)₃] and (η-1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃)Cr(CO)[P(OEt)₃]₂ mixture. Under similar conditions (η⁶-arene)Cr(CO)₃, where arene = 3,5-Me₂C₆H₃(CH₂)₂OPR₂ (R = OEt,OPh,F), yields the corresponding arenephosphite chelate complexes.     

Preparation of new (η5-C5H4CH3)Mn(NO)(PPh3) and (η7-C7H7)Mo(CO)-(PPh3) complexes

The complex (η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(PPh₃)I has been prepared by the reaction of NaI with [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(CO)(PPh₃)]⁺ and also by the reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(CO)₂]⁺ with NaI followed by PPh₃. This iodide compound reacts with NaCN to yield (η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(PPh₃)CN which is ethylated by [(C₂H₅)₃O]BF₄ to yield [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(PPh₃)(CNC₂H₅)]⁺. Both [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(CO)₂]⁺ and [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(PPh₃)(CO)]⁺ react with NaCN to yield [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(CN)₂]^?. This anion reacts with Ph₃SnCl to yield cis-(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(CN)₂SnPh₃ and with [(C₂-H₅)₃O]BF₄ to yield [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(CNC₂H₅)₂]⁺. The reaction of (η⁵-C₅-H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(PPh₃)I with AgBF₄ in acetonitrile yields [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn-(NO)(PPh₃)(NCCH₃)]⁺. The complex (η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(CO)I, produced in the reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(CO)₂]⁺ with NaI, is not stable and decomposes to the dimeric complex (η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)₂Mn₂(NO)₃I for which a reasonable structure is proposed. Similar dimers can be prepared from the other halide salts. The reaction of (η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)(PPh₃)I with NaCN yields (η⁷-C₇-H₇)Mo(CO)(PPh₃)CN which is ethylated by [(C₂H₅)₃O]BF₄ to yield [(η⁷-C₇H₇)-Mo(CO)(PPh₃)(CNC₂H₅)]⁺. The interaction of this molybdenum halide complex with AgBF₄ in acetonitrile and pyridine yields [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)(PPh₃)-(NCCH₃)]⁺ and [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)(PPh₃)(NC₅H₅)]⁺, respectively. Both (η⁵-C₅-H₄CH₃)Mn(NO)(PPh₃)I and (η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)(PPh₃)I are oxidized by NOPF₆ to the respective 17-electron cations in acetonitrile at ?78°C but revert to the neutral halide complex at room temperature. This result is supported by electrochemical data.     

Molybdenum alkyl- and aryl-thiolates

The reaction between [(η⁵-C₅H₅)MoH(CO)₃] and disulphides gives dimeric or trimeric complexes depending upon the conditions. The syntheses of the novel trinuclear molybdenum carbonyl complex [{Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)(SR)(μ-CO)(CO)}₃] (R = Me), and dinuclear compounds [Mo₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)(μ-SR)₃(CO)₄] (R = Me) and [Mo₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂(SR)₂(CO)₂(μ-SR)(μ-Br)] (R = Me or Ph) are reported.     

Complexes du titane et du zirconium contenant les ligands cyclopentadienyldiphenylphosphine et cyclopentadienylethyldiphenylphosphine: acces a des structures heterobimetalliques

Reactions of Ph₂P(CH₂)_n(C₅H₄)Li, (n = 0, 2), with MCl₄ or CpTiCl₃ (M = Ti, Zr; Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) form Cl₂M[(η⁵-C₅H₄)(CH₂)_nPPh₂]₂ or Cl₂CpTi[(η⁵-C₅H₄)-(CH₂)₂PPh₂] in good yields. Chemical reduction with Al, or electrochemical reduction of these complexes, under CO, are described. The titanium(IV) and zirconium(IV) derivatives react with metal carbonyls (Mo(CO)₆, Cr(CO)₆, Fe(CO)₅, Mo(CO)₄(C₈H₁₂)) under formation of new heterobimetallic complexes. Reduction with Al of Cl₂CpTi[(η⁵-C₅H₄)(CH₂)₂PPh₂]Mo(CO)₅ under CO results in a new heterobimetallic species containing low valent titanium. Both complexes Cl₂M[(η⁵-C₅H₄)(CH₂)₂PPh₂]₂ (M = Ti, Zr) react with [Rh(μ-Cl)(CO)(C₂H₄)]₂ to yield {RhCl(CO)(Cl₂M[(η⁵-C₅H₄)(CH₂)₂PPh₂]₂)}x, which is assumed to be a dimer, in which the titanium or the zirconium compounds act as bridging diphosphine ligands between the rhodium atoms.     

C2-Bridged sandwich and half-sandwich entities with Ti(IV) and Cr(0) centers

The intense purple colored bi- and trimetallic complexes {Ti}(CH₂SiMe₃)[CC(η⁶-C₆H₅)Cr(CO)₃] (3) ({Ti}=(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti) and [Ti][CC(η⁶-C₆H₅)Cr(CO)₃]₂ (5) {[Ti]=(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti}, in which next to a Ti(IV) center a Cr(0) atom is present, are accessible by the reaction of Li[CC(η⁶-C₆H₅)Cr(CO)₃] (2) with {Ti}(CH₂SiMe₃)Cl (1) or [Ti]Cl₂ (4) in a 1:1 or 2:1 molar ratio. The chemical and electrochemical properties of 3, 5, {Ti}(CH₂SiMe₃)(CCFc) [Fc=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)] and [Ti][(CC)_nMc][(CC)_mM′c] [n, m=1, 2; n=m; n≠m; Mc=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄); M′c=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(η⁵-C₅H₄); Mc=M′c; Mc≠M′c] will be comparatively discussed.     

Unusual tetra- and penta-ruthenium complexes from linking of ethylidyne and vinylidene ligands

The complexes [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)(μ-CMe)(η-C₅H₅)₂]^? and [Ru₂CO₂(μ-CO)(μ-CCH₂)(η-C₅H₅)₂] react together to give [{Ru₂CO)₃(η-C₅H₅)₂}₂(μ-CMeCHCH)]⁺ and [{Ru₃(CO)₃(η-C₅H₅)₃}(μ-CCH₂CHC){Ru₂(CO)₃(η-C₅H₅)₂}], each characterised by X-ray diffraction. The former results from ethylidyne-vinylidene linking followed by an alkylidyne to vinyl rearrangement.     

The synthesis and reactivity of some indenyl and bis-indenyl ruthenium carbonyl complexes

The reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] (1), with indene in refluxing xylene affords [{(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(CO)₂}₂] (2), in high yield. An analogous reaction of 1 with 2-phenylindene affords the expected dinuclear complex [{(η⁵-C₉H₆Ph)Ru(CO)₂}₂] (5), and a heptaruthenium cluster [(C₉H₄Ph)Ru₇(μ-H)(μ-CO)₂(CO)₁₆] (6). The indenyl ligand in compound 6 exhibits a novel bonding mode in which the benzenoid ring is μ₄,η¹:η¹:η²:η² bound to the cluster. Refluxing 1 with bis-indenyl methane affords the dinuclear complex [Ru₂(CO)₄{μ-(η⁵-C₉H₆)₂CH₂}] (7), which reacts with iodine via Ru-Ru bond cleavage to give [Ru₂I₂(CO)₄{(η⁵-C₉H₆)₂CH₂}] (8).     

Mehrfachbindungen zwischen hauptgruppenelementen und übergangsmetallen: XVII. Selen- und tellur-brücken in organometallkomplexen: AUFBAU,protonierung und methylierung

Selenium acts as a bridging ligand between two iron atoms in the novel complex (μ-Se)(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂]₂ (1), obtained in 60% yield from Na⁺[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂] and Se₂Cl₂. 1 displays nucleophilic reactivity towards protic acids (e.g., HBF₄·OEt₂) and methyl triflate, CF₃SO₃CH₃, thus giving the protonated and methylated ionic species [(μ-SeR)(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂₂]⁺ (R = H: 2a, BF₄ salt; R = CH₃: 2b, PF₆ salt) in quantitative yields. Rapid deprotonation of 2a occurs in the presence of bases such as diethylamine. Analogous protonation and methylation reactions have been observed with the tellurium complex (μ-Te)[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(CO)₃]₂ (3); the ionic compounds [(μ-TeH)(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(CO)₃₂]BF₄ (4a) and [(μ-TeCH₃) (η⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(CO)₃₂]PF₆(4a), respectively, are obtained. In contrast, the electron-deficient tellurium ligand of the manganese complex (μ₃-Te)[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂]₃ (5) is neither attacked by Brønsted acids nor by electrophilic methylating agents (e.g., CF₃SO₃CH₃) but is rather methylated by methyllithium to give the anionic species [(μ₃-TeCH₃)η⁵-C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂₃]^? that can be isolated pure as the PPN⁺ salt 6.     

A convenient entry into diruthenium chemistry

In boiling toluene, diphenylacetylene is readily displaced from the dimetallocycle [Ru₂(CO)(μ-CO) {μ-C(O)C₂Ph₂} (η-C₅H₅)₂] by a variety of reagents (P(OMe)₃, SO₂, R₂CN₂, Ph₂PCH₂) to produce [Ru₂(CO){P(OMe)₃}(μ-CO)₂ - (η-C₅H₅)₂] or [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)(μ-L)(η-C₅H₅)₂] (L  SO₂, CR₂, CH₂) in high yield.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of [Re2(μ:η-C24H18N4)(CO)6] containing the rtct-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)cyclobutandiyl ligand, derived from the reaction of [Re2(CO)8(MeCN)2] and 1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethene

The reaction of the labile compound [Re₂(CO)₈(CH₃CN)₂] with trans-1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethene (C₁₂H₁₀N₂) at room temperature in tetrahydrofuran affords the compounds [Re₂(μ:η³-C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(CO)₈] (1) and the oxidative addition product [Re₂(μ-H)(μ:η³-C₁₂H₉N₂)(CO)₇] (2). When the reaction is carried out at temperatures of refluxing tetrahydrofuran, besides compounds 1 and 2, the oxidative addition product [Re₂(μ-H)(μ:η⁴-C₁₂H₉N₂)(CO)₆] (3), the insertion product [Re₂(μ:η⁴-C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(CO)₈] (4) and [Re₂(μ:η⁶-C₂₄H₁₈N₄)(CO)₆] (5) are obtained. Compound 5 contains the organic ligand rtct-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)cyclobutandiyl which is derived from a [2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethene mediated by its coordination to the bimetallic framework. The molecular structures of 1, 2, 4 and 5 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies.     

Nickelocene chemistry : II. New methylidyne trinickel cluster compounds

The new methylidene trinickel cluster complexes, [RCNi₃(η⁵-C₅H₅₃] (R  CMe₃ or SiMe₃) and [Me₃SiCNi₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)2(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂SiMe₃)] have been isolated in low yield from reactions between nickelocene and the corresponding alkyllithium reagents, RCH₂Li. The compounds [RCNi₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)₃] (R  Ph, CMe₃ or SiMe₃) have also been obtained by treatment of the σ-alkylnickel complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(CH₂R)(PPh₃)] with n-BuLi in the presence of an excess of nickelocene, but under similar conditions [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(CH₂C_1OH₇-2)-(PPh₃)] (where C_1OH₇-2  2-naphthyl) failed to give [2-C_1OH₇CNi₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)₃]. The attempted synthesis of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(CH₂CCH)(PPh₃)] from [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-NiBr(PPh₃)] and CHCCH₂MgBr gave only [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(CCMe)(PPh₃)] by an unusual rearrangement reaction.     

Aqueous allylmolybdenum(II) chemistry

Dissolution of [MoCl(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₄R)(NCMe)₂] (R = H or Me) in methanol yields yellow conducting solutions containing the [Mo(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₄R)(HOMe)₃]⁺ cations. The same species are formed on dissolution of [Mo(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₄R)(NCMe)₃]BF₄ in methanol, and one of the cations (R = Me) has been isolated as its tetrafluoroborate salt. There is strong spectroscopic evidence that hydrated allyldicarbonylmolybdenum(II) cations [Mo(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₄R)(H₂O)_x]⁺ are present on dissolution of [MoCl(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₄R)(NCMe)₂] in deoxygenated water, and treatment of these solutions with bi- and tridentate ligands yields neutral complexes [MoCl(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₄R)L₂] (R = H or Me; L₂ = 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) or 2,2′-bipyridylamine (bpa)), and cationic species [Mo(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₄R)L₃]⁺ (R = H or Me; L₃ = diethylenetriamine (dien) or bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (bpma)) respectively. The latter were isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. Addition of Ph₄AsCl to basic methanolic solutions of [MoCl(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₄R)(NCMe)₂] causes the precipitation of the anionic molybdenum derivatives Ph₄As[Mo₂(CO)₄(η³-C₃H₄R)₂(μ-OMe)₃] (R = H or Me).     

Exploratory organometal-sulfur chemistry; syntheses and unusual properties of rhenium CH2SR,CHSRR′, and CHSR]+ complexes

The methylidene complex [(η-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(CH₂)]⁺PF₆^?(I) yields kinetically labile sulfonium salts when treated with CH₃SCH₃, CH₃SCH₂C₆H₅, and (η-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(CH₂SCH₃) (V);the binuclear adduct formed in the latter case, [(η-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)CH₂]₂S⁺CH₃ (VI), is substantially more stable than the others and undergoes hydride transfer disproportionation to [(η-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(CHSCH₃)]⁺PF₆^?(VII) and (η-C₅H₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(CH₃) (VIII) when heated.     

Cyclic carbene formation through alkyl migration to molybdenum coordinated isonitrile. Synthesis and X-ray structure of cis-MoI {C(NMe)[CH2]2CH2} (CO)2(η-C5H5). An example of a sterically blocked cis-trans isomerisation for the [Mo(X)(L)(CO)2(η-C5H5)] system

Treatment of Mo(CNMe)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)^? with I[CH₂]₃I in tetrahydrofuran affords the carbene complex cis-MoI{C(NMe)[CH₂[CH₂} (CO)₂ (η-C₅H₅), which has been characterised by X-ray crystallography. This complex does not isomerise to the corresponding trans isomer, as might have been expected by analogy with related 2-oxacyclopentylidene systems.