Reactions of the cycloheptatrienyl complexes [MX(CO)2(η-C7H7)] (M=Mo, X=Br; M=W, X=I) with CNBu: X-ray crystal structure of [WI(CO)2(CNBu)2(η-C7H7)]

Reaction of [MX(CO)₂(η⁷-C₇H₇)] (M=Mo, X=Br; M=W, X=I) with two equivalents of CNBu^t in toluene affords the trihapto-bonded cycloheptatrienyl complexes [MX(CO)₂(CNBu^t)₂(η³-C₇H₇)] (1, M=Mo, X=Br; 2, M=W, X=I). The X-ray crystal structure of 2 reveals a pseudo-octahedral molecular geometry with an asymmetric ligand arrangement at tungsten in which one CNBu^t is located trans to the η³-C₇H₇ ring. Treatment of 2 with tetracyanoethene results in 1,4-cycloaddition at the η³-C₇H₇ ring to give [WI(CO)₂(CNBu^t)₂{η³-C₉H₇(CN)₄}], 3. The principal reaction type of the molybdenum complex 1 is loss of carbonyl and bromide ligands to afford substituted products [MoBr(CNBu^t)₂(η⁷-C₇H₇)] 4 or [Mo(CO)(CNBu^t)₂(η⁷-C₇H₇)]Br. Reaction of [MoBr(CO)₂(η⁷-C₇H₇)] with one equivalent of CNBu^t in toluene at 60°C affords [MoBr(CO)(CNBu^t)(η⁷-C₇H₇)], 5, which is a precursor to [Mo(CO)(CNBu^t)(NCMe)(η⁷-C₇H₇)][BF₄], 6, by reaction with Ag[BF₄] in acetonitrile. In contrast with the parent dicarbonyl systems [MoX(CO)₂(η⁷-C₇H₇)], complexes of the Mo(CO)(CNBu^t)(η⁷-C₇H₇) auxiliary, 5 and 6, do not afford observable η³-C₇H₇ products by ligand addition at the molybdenum centre.     

Cyclopentadienyl-ruthenium and -osmium chemistry : XXXIX. Syntheses of novel alkynyl-ruthenium complexes. X-Ray structures of two forms of {Ru(PPh3)2(η-C5H5)}2(μ-C4) and of Ru{CCC(O)Me}(PPh3)2(η-C5H5)

Reactions between [Ru(thf)(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅)]⁺ and lithium acetylides have given further examples of substituted ethynylruthenium complexes that are useful precursors of allenylidene and cumulenylidene derivatives. From Li₂C₄, mono- and bi-nuclear ruthenium complexes were obtained: single-crystal X-ray studies have characterised two rotamers of {Ru(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅)}₂(μ-C₄), which differ in the relative cis and trans orientations of the RuL_n groups. Protonation of Ru(CCCCH)(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅) afforded the butatrienylidene cation [Ru(C=C=C=CH₂)(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅)]⁺, which reacted readily with atmospheric moisture to give the acetylethynyl complex Ru{CCC(O)Me}(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅), also fully characterised by an X-ray structural study.     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical studies of the heterometallic diclusters [{Fe2(μ-CO)(CO)6(μ-PPh2)Au}2(diphosphine)] (diphosphine=dppm, dppip, dppe, dppp)

Treatment of [(ClAu)₂(diphosphine)] {diphosphine=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), bis(diphenylphosphino)isopropane (dppip), 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp)} with two equivalents of the anion [Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)]⁻ in the presence of TlBF₄ gives the new heterometallic diclusters [{Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)Au}₂(diphosphine)] that have been isolated and characterized. Their ³¹P-NMR spectra show different patterns as a function of the diphosphine ligand. The electrochemical behavior of these compounds has been investigated and compared with that of the mono- [Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)(μ-AuPPh₃)] and tricluster [{Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)Au}₃(triphos)] derivatives.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of cisoid and transoid isomers of [Re2(CO)6(1,1′-bis(indenylidene)] derived from the reaction of [Re2(CO)8(MeCN)2] and diazoindene

The compound [Re₂(CO)₈(MeCN)₂] reacts with diazoindene (C₉H₆N₂) while refluxing in THF to afford three dirhenium products in which C₉H₆N₂ is cleaved with loss of N₂ and with incorporation of the residual indenylidene group into the products. Two indenylidene groups are coupled in two diastereomers of [Re₂(CO)₆(μ,η⁵:η⁵-1,1′-C₁₈H₁₂)] where C₁₈H₁₂=bis(indenylidene). X-ray structures show that these isomers are related as RR/SS and RS isomers. These have the two Re(CO)₃ groups coordinated transoid and cisoid, respectively to a trans bis(indenylidene) bridge. The third product is the μ-indenylidene complex [Re₂(CO)₈(μ,η¹:η⁵-C₉H₆)], which was also structurally characterised by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of [(μ-RS)(μ-S){Fe2(CO)6}2(μ4-S)] and their reactivity toward electrophiles

Reaction of the Et₃NH⁺ salts of the [(μ-RS)(μ-CO)Fe₂(CO)₆]⁻ anions (R=Bu^t, Ph or PhCH₂) with (μ-S₂)Fe₂(CO)₆ gives reactive intermediates [(μ-RS)(μ-S){Fe₂(CO)₆}₂(μ₄-S)]⁻. Reactions of the latter with alkyl halides, acid chlorides and Cp(CO)₂FeI have been studied. X-Ray structure of (μ-Bu^tS)(μ-PhCH₂S)[Fe₂(CO)₆]₂(μ₄-S) was determined.     

The insertion of acetylene into the formal ruthenium-phosphorus bonds of closo-[Ru4(μ4-PPh)2(μ2-CO)(CO)10. Crystal structure of [Ru4(μ4-PPh){μ4-η-P(Ph)CHCH}(μ2-CO)(CO)10]

Treatment of closo-[Ru₄(μ₄-PPh)₂(μ₂-CO)(CO)₁₀] with acetylene under ambient conditions leads to the insertion of the acetylene into the skeletal framework of the cluster and the formation of [Ru₄(μ₄-PPh){μ₄-η³-P(Ph)CHCH}(μ₂-CO)(CO)₁₀], the structure of which has been determined X-ray crystallographically.     

Formal chromium–chromium triple bonds and bent rings in the binuclear cycloheptatrienylchromium carbonyls (C7H7)2Cr2(CO)n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0): A density functional theory study

Binuclear cycloheptatrienylchromium carbonyls of the type (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0) have been investigated by density functional theory. Energetically competitive structures with fully bonded heptahapto η⁷-C₇H₇ rings are not found for (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n structures having two or more carbonyl groups. This result stands in contrast to the related (C_nH_n)₂M₂(CO)_n (M = Mn, n = 6; M = Fe, n = 5; M = Co, n = 4) systems. Most of the predicted (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n structures have bent trihapto or pentahapto C₇H₇ rings and CrCr distances in the range 2.4–2.5 Å suggesting formal triple bonds. In some cases rearrangement of the heptagonal C₇H₇ ring to a tridentate cyclopropyldivinyl or tridentate bis(carbene)alkyl ligand is observed. In addition structures with CO insertion into the C₇H₇–Cr bond are predicted for (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 4, 2). The global minima found for the (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n derivatives for n = 6, 5, and 4 are (η⁵-C₇H₇)(OC)₂CrCr(CO)₄(η¹-C₇H₇), (η³-C₇H₇)(OC)₂CrCr(CO)₃(η^2,1- C₇H₇), and (η⁵-C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)₄, respectively. The global minima for (C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 3, 2) have rearranged C₇H₇ groups. Singlet and triplet structures with heptahapto η⁷-C₇H₇ rings are found for the dimetallocenes (η⁷-C₇H₇)₂Cr₂(CO) and (η⁷-C₇H₇)₂Cr₂, with the singlet structures being of much lower energies in both cases.     

The use of half-sandwich iridium dithiolate and diselenolate complexes, Cp*Ir(L)(ER)2 (L=CO, PMe3, PPh3; ER=SPh, SePh, SeMe), for the synthesis of heterodimetallic compounds. The molecular structure of Cp*Ir(CO)(μ-SePh)2[Mo(CO)4]

Carbonyl–iridium half-sandwich compounds, Cp*Ir(CO)(EPh)₂ (E=S, Se), were prepared by the photo-induced reaction of Cp*Ir(CO)₂ with the diphenyl dichalcogenides, E₂Ph₂, and used as neutral chelating ligands in carbonylmetal complexes such as Cp*Ir(CO)(μ-EPh)₂[Cr(CO)₄], Cp*Ir(CO)(μ-EPh)₂[Mo(CO)₄] and Cp*Ir(CO)(μ-EPh)₂[Fe(CO)₃], respectively. A trimethylphosphane–iridium analogue, Cp*Ir(PMe₃)(μ-SeMe)₂[Cr(CO)₄], was also obtained. The new heterodimetallic complexes were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular geometry of Cp*Ir(CO)(μ-SePh)₂[Mo(CO)₄] has been determined by a single crystal X-ray structure analysis. According to the long Ir…Mo distance (395.3(1) Å), direct metal–metal interactions appear to be absent.     

Joint x-ray and neutron diffraction structure analysis of [(μ-H)3Re3(CO)8{(EtO)2POP(OEt)2}2]

The compound [(μ-H)₃Re₃(CO)₈{(EtO)₂POP(OEt)₂}₂] crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a 18.053(6), b 16.211(5), c 14.800(3) Å, β = 102.41(2)°, and Z = 4. Simultaneous refinement of a single parameter set to fit 3212 X-Ray (sin θ/λ) > 0.352 Å⁻¹ and 1480 neutron data has led to final weighted residuals R_w(F) of 0.096 (X-Ray) and 0.095 (neutron). The molecule exhibits noncrystallographic C₂ symmetry, with two edges of the Re₃ triangle bridged by (OEt)₂POP(OEt)₂ ligands. The hydride ligands lie close to the trimetal plane with each hydride bridging an Re---Re vector. Average molecular parameters involving the hydride ligands are Re---H 1.812(17), Re---Re 3.282(17) Å, Re---H---Re 130(3) and H---Re---H 107.6(27)/dg. All eight carbonyl ligands are terminal, the ligand polyhedron being derived from that in H₃Re₃(CO)₁₂ by substitution of four axial carbonyls by two bidentate phosphite ligands.     

Synthesis, properties and structures of the two “electron rich” cobalt-sulphur clusters [Co6(μ3-S)8(PEt3)6]

The reaction of hydrogen sulphide with [Co(H₂O)₆](BF₄)₂ and triethylphosphine in the presence of sodium tetraphenylborate or tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate gave the paramagnetic clusters [Co₆(μ₃-S)₈(PEt₃)₆](Y) (Y = BPh₄, (1), PF₆, (2)). These compounds can be easily reduced by sodium napthalenide to the diamagnetic species [Co₆(μ₃-S)₈(PEt₃)₆] · 2C₄H₈O (3). The molecular structures of 1 and 3 have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Crystal data: (1) space group P , a = 19.481(9), b = 15.562(7), c = 12.390(b) Å, α = 92.70(8), β = 94.50(7), γ = 94.10(9)°, Z = 2, (3) space group R , a = 11.780(6) Å, α = 92.50(7)°, Z = 1. Both structures were solved by the heavy atom method and refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques to the conventional R factors values of 0.050 for 1 and 0.044 for 3 on the basis of 4251 and 1918 observed reflections, respectively. The two clusters [Co₆(μ₃-S)₈)(PEt₃)₆]^1+,0 are isostructural, the inner core consisting of an octahedron of cobalt atoms with all the faces symmetrically capped by triply bridging sulphur atoms. Each metal centre is additionally linked to a triethylphosphine group so that each cobalt atom is co-ordinated by four sulphur atoms and one phosphorus in a distorted square pyramidal environment. The addition of one electron whilst leaving unchanged the geometry of the inner framework, induces small changes in the structural parameters, the average Co---Co and Co---P distances being 2.794 (3) and 2.162 (2) Å for 1 and 2.817 (3) and 2.138 (2) Å for 3 respectively. Electrochemistry in non-aqueous solvents shows the electron-transfer sequence

Full-size image (3K)

The tricationic species is stable only in the short time of cyclic voltammetric tests.     

Syntheses and Structure Determination of Nine-Coordinate (NH4)3[TbIII(nta)2(H2O)]·4H2O and Eight-Coordinate (NH4)3[ErIII(nta)2] Complexes

Syntheses and structure determination of Tb^III and Er^III complexes with nitrilotriacetic acids (nta) are reported. Their crystal and molecular structures, molecular formulas, and compositions were determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analyses and elementary analyses, respectively. The crystal of the (NH₄)₃[Tb^III(nta)₂(H₂O)]·4H₂O complex belongs to the monoclinic crystal system and C2/c space group. Crystal data are as follows: a = 16.357(8) Å, b = 8.552(4) Å, c = 17.390(9) Å, β = 104.748(7)°, V = 2352.6(19) ų, Z = 4, Mr = 675.32, D_c = 1.932 g·cm⁻³, μ = 3.112 mm⁻¹, and F(000) = 1368. The final R and Rw are 0.0220 and 0.0494 for 2357 (I > 2σ(I)) unique reflections, R and Rw are 0.0266 and 0.0510 for all 5613 reflections, respectively. The Tb^IIIN₂O₇ moiety in the [Tb^III(nta)₂(H₂O)]³⁻ complex anion has a pseudo-monocapped square antiprismatic nine-coordinate structure, in which the eight coordinate atoms (two N and six O) are from two nta ligands and the water molecule is coordinated to the central Tb^III ion directly as the ninth coordinate atom. The crystal of the (NH₄)₃[Er^III(nta)₂] complex belongs to the trigonal crystal system and R-3^c space group. Crystal data are as follows: a = 7.9181(16) Å, b = 7.9181(16) Å, c = 54.27(2) Å, γ = 120°, V = 2946.7(14) ų, Z = 6, Mr = 597.61, D _c = 2.021 g·cm⁻³, μ = 4.345 mm⁻¹, and F(000) = 1770. The final R and Rw are 0.0295 and 0.0673 for 677 (I > 2σ(I)) unique reflections, R and Rw are 0.0366 and 0.0700 for all 4827 reflections, respectively. The Er^IIIN₂O₆ part in the [Er^III(nta)₂]³⁻ complex anion is an eight-coordinate structure with a pseudo-dicapped octahedron, in which the eight coordinate atoms (two N and six O) are from two nta ligands.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by J. Wang, X. D. Zhang, Y. Wang, Y. Zhang, Z. R. Liu, J. Tong, and P. L. Kang__________Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 6, pp. 1067–1075, November–December, 2004.     

Synthesis and reaction chemistry of 4-nitrile-substituted NCN-pincer palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes (NCN = [NC-4-C6H2(CH2NMe2)2-2,6])

Nitrile-functionalized NCN-pincer complexes of type [MBr(NC-4-C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6)] (6a, M = Pd; 6b, M = Pt) (NCN = [C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6]⁻) are accessible by the reaction of Br-1-NC-4-C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6 (2b) with [Pd₂(dba)₃ · CHCl₃] (5a) (dba = dibenzylidene acetone) and [Pt(tol-4)₂(SEt₂)]₂ (5b) (tol = tolyl), respectively. Complex 6b could successfully be converted to the linear coordination polymer {[Pt(NC-4-C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6)](ClO₄)}_n (8) upon its reaction with the organometallic heterobimetallic π-tweezer compound {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}AgOClO₃ (7) ([Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti).The structures of 6a (M = Pd) and 6b (M = Pt) in the solid state are reported. In both complexes the d⁸-configurated transition metal ions palladium(II) and platinum(II) possess a somewhat distorted square-planar coordination sphere. Coordination number 4 at the group-10 metal atoms M is reached by the coordination of two ortho-substituents Me₂NCH₂, the NCN ipso-carbon atom and the bromide ligand. The NC group is para-positioned with respect to M.     

η-Alkynyl and vinylidene transition metal complexes: 10. Reaction of the metal-acetylide [(η-C5H5)(CO)(NO)W---CC---C(CH3)3]Li with 1,2-diiodoethane as electrophile and with various nucleophiles

Treatment of the η¹-acetylide complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)(NO)W---CC---C(CH₃)₃]Li (4) with 1,2-diiodoethane in THF at −78 °C, followed by the addition of Li---CC---R [R=C(CH₃)₃, C₆H₅, Si(CH₃)₃, 6a–6c] or n-C₄H₉Li and protonation with H₂O, afforded the corresponding oxametallacyclopentadienyl complexes (η⁵-C₅H₅)W(I)(NO)[η²-O=C(CC---R)CH=CC(CH₃)₃] (7a–7c), 8c and (η⁵-C₅H₅)W(I)(NO)[η²-O=C(n-C₄H₉)CH=CC(CH₃)₃] (9). The formation of these metallafuran derivatives is rationalized by the electrophilic attack of 1,2-diiodoethane onto the metal center of 4 to form first the neutral complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(I)(CO)(NO)W---CC---C(CH₃)₃] (5). Subsequent nucleophilic addition of Li---CC---R 6a–6c or n-C₄H₉Li and a reductive elimination step followed by protonation leads to the products 7a–7c and 9. One reaction intermediate could be trapped with CF₃SO₃CH₃ and characterized by a crystal structure analysis. The identity of another intermediate was established by infrared spectroscopic data. The oxametallacyclopentadienyl complex 10 forms in the presence of excess 1,2-diiodoethane through an alternative pathway and crystallizes as a clathrate containing iodine.     

Antiferromagnetic complexes involving metal---metal bonds IV. Synthesis, molecular structure and magnetic properties of the heterotrinuclear cluster, (C5H5Cr)2(μ-SCMe3)(μ-S)2Fe(CO)3, with direct and indirect exchange between Cr and Fe centers

The photochemical reaction between the antiferromagnetic complex (C₅H₅-CrSCMe₃)₂S (I) (containing a Cr---Cr bond 2.689 Å long) and Fe(CO)₅ results in the elimination of two carbonyl groups and one tert-butyl radical to give (C₅H₅Cr)₂(μ²-SCMe₃)(μ³-S)₂ · Fe(CO)₃ (III). As determined by X-ray diffraction, III contains a Cr---Cr bond of almost the same length as in I (2.707 Å), together with one thiolate and two sulphide bridges. The latter are also linked with the Fe atom of the Fe(CO)₃ moiety (average Fe---S bond length 2.300 Å). Fe also forms a direct bond, 2.726 Å long, with one of the Cr atoms, whereas its distance from the other Cr atom (3.110 Å) is characteristic for non-bonded interactions. Complex III is antiferromagnetic, the exchange parameter, −2J, values for Cr---Cr, Cr(1)---Fe and Cr(2)…Fe are 380, 2600 and 170 cm⁻¹, respectively. The magnetic properties of III are discussed in terms of the “exchange channel model”. The contributions from indirect interactions through bridging ligands are shown to be insignificant compared with direct exchange involving metal---metal bonds. The effects of steric factors and of the nature of the M(CO)_n fragments on the chemical transformations of (C₅H₅CrSCMe₃)₂S · M(CO)_n are discussed.     

The reactions of [Co(η-C5H5)(CO)(L)] (L = R3P or RNC) with carbon disuphide and organoisothiocyanates

The reactions of [Co(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(PR₃)] or [Co(η-C₅GH₅)(CO)₂]/R₃P mixtures (R = alkyl or aryl) with CS₂ in refluxing CS₂ or CS₂/toluene gives rise to [Co(η-C₅H₅)(PR₃)(CS)], [Co(η-C₅H₅)(PR₃)(CS₂)], [Co(η-C₅H₅)(PR₃)(CS₃)], and [Co₃(η-C₅H₅)₃ (CS)(S)] in reasonable yields. The corresponding reactions using PhNCS give [Co(η-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)(PhNCS)] and a polymeric species which appears to be [Co₄(η-C₅H₅)₄ (PhNCS)]. Similar products are obtained with [Co(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(CNR)] or [Co(η0C₅H₅)(CO)₂]/RNC mixtures.     

Synthesis and structure of mixed-metal thiolate complex Cp′Cr(CO)2(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh3)2: Side-on-coordination of Cr–S double bond with platinum

The reaction of [Cp′Cr(CO)₂(μ-SBu)]₂ (1) (Cp′ = MeC₅H₄) with (PPh₃)₂Pt(PhCCPh) gives Cp′Cr(CO)₂(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh₃)₂ (2) which could be regarded as a product of the substitution of acetylene ligand at platinum by a monomeric chromium–thiolate fragment. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis 2 contains single Cr–Pt (2.7538(15)) and Pt–S (2.294(2) Å) bonds while Cr–S bond (2.274(3) Å) is shortened in comparison with ordinary Cr–S bonds (2.4107(4)–2.4311(4) Å) in 1. The bonding between Cr–S fragment and platinum atom is similar to the olefine coordination in their platinum complexes.     

The transition metal catalysed reaction between η-C5H5Mo(CO)3I and isonitriles

The reaction betweeen (η⁵-C₅H₅Mo(CO)₃I and RNC is catalysed by [η⁵ -C₅H₅Mo(CO)₃]₂ and readily yields η⁵-C₅H₅Mo(CO)_3−n(RNC)_nI (n = 1–3). A free radical mechanism is consistent with experimental data.     

The tris(triphenylphosphine)osmium zerovalent complexes Os(CO)2(PPh3)3, .Os(CO)(CNR)(PPh3)3, Os(CO)(CS)(PPh3)3, Os(CS)(cNR)(PPh3)3 and derived compounds

Detailed procedures for the syntheses of Os(CO)₂(PPh₃)₃, Os(CO)(CNR)-(PPh₃)₃ (R = p-tolyl), Os(CO)(CS)(PPh₃)₃ and Os(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₃, together with the derived complexes Os(CO)₂(CS)(PPh₃)₂, Os(CO)(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²-C₂H₄)(CO)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²-C₂H₄)(CO)(CS)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²CS₂)(CO)₂-(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²CS₂)(CO)(CS)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²-CS₂)(CO)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂, Os(η²PhC₂Ph)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ and OsH(C2Ph)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ are described.     

Reactivity modes of bridged bimetallic [(η-C5H5)Fe(CO)]2-μ-dppe with electrophiles. Preparation and reactions of bimetallic hydride complexes

The complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)]₂-μ-dppe (dppe = ethane-1,2-bisdiphenylphosphide) (I) reacts with electrophiles through a η-CO and forms Lewis acid O-Adducts with alkylating reagents (giving cationic μ₂-alkoxycarbyne compounds) or with alkulaluminum compounds. Treatment of I with acid affords a stable μ₂-hydride salt (IV), [CpFe(CO)]₂(μ₂-dppe)⁺, which serves as an intermediate in the stepwise hydrogenation (reversibly) of I to a bridged bimetallic dihydride, [CpFe(CO)H]₂-μ₂-dppe. This dihydride serves as a hydride donor, regenerating IV, towards Ph₃c⁺ or CpFe(CO)₂(η²-CH₂---CH₂)⁺ hydride acceptors. The necessity of the μ₂-dppe as a “mechanical linkage” in facilitating some bimetalic reactions is also established.