Di- and poly-nuclear transition metal complexes as catalysts for the metal carbonyl substitution reaction. The role of supported metals and metal oxides as catalyst promoters

Various di- and poly-nuclear transition metal complexes have been investigated as catalysts for the metal carbonyl substitution reaction. The complexes [{(η⁵-C₅H₄R)Fe(CO)₂} ₂] (R = H, Me, CO₂Me, OMe, O(CH₂)₄OH) and [{(η⁵-C₅H₅)-Ru(CO)₂} ₂] are active catalysts for a range of substitution reactions including the probe reaction [Fe(CO)₄(CNBu^t)] + Bu^tNC → [Fe(CO)₃(CNBu^t)₂] + CO. [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)₂}₂] is catalytically active only on irradiation with visible light. For [{η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂}₂] and a range ofisocyanides RNC ( R = Bu^t, C₆H₅CH₂, 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), catalyst modification by substitution with isocyanide is a major factor influencing the degree of the catalytic effects observed, e.g. [{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(CNBu^t)}₂] is approximately 35 times as active as [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂FE₂(CO)₃(CNBu^t)] for the [Fe(CO)₄(CNBu^t)] → [Fe(CO)₃(CNBu^t)₂] conversion. Mechanistic studies on this system suggest that the catalytic substitution step probably involves a rapid intermolecular attack of isonitrile, possibly on a labile catalyst-substrate radical intermediate such as {[Fe(CO)₄(CNR)][(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂]}; or on a reactive radical cation such as [Fe(CO)₄(CNR)]⁺ generated via electron transfer between the substrate and the catalyst. Other transition metal complexes which also catalyze the substitution of CO by isocyanide in [Fe(CO)₄(CNR)] (and [M(CO)₆] (M = Cr, Mo, W), [Mn₂(CO)₁₀], [Re₂(CO)₁₀]) include [Ru₃(CO)₁₂], [H₄Ru₄(CO)₁₂], [M₄(CO)₁₂] (M = Co, Ir) and [Co₂(CO)₈]. These reactions conform to the general mechanistic patterns established for [{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂}₂], suggesting a similar mechanism. A range of materials, notably PtO₂, PdO and Pd/C, act as promoters for the homogeneous di- and poly-nuclear transition metal catalysts, and can even be used to induce activity in normally inactive dimer and cluster complexes e.g. [Os₃(CO)₁₂]. This promotion is attributed to at least three possible effects: the removal of catalyst inhibitors, a catalyzed substitution of the homogeneous catalyst partner, and a possible homogeneous-heterogeneous interaction which promotes the formation of catalytic intermediates.     

Photochemical reactions of cationic isocyanide/carbonyl complexes of iron with selected nucleophiles

Photolysis of (η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)(CNMe)₂]PF₆ in the presence of excess nucleophiles resulted in efficient substitution of the carbonyl ligand, generating the new isocyanide complexes (η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CNMe)₂)(L)]PF₆ (L = PPh₃, AsPh₃, SbPh₃, pyridine, acetonitrile, and ethylene). Similar reactions of (η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)_2)(CNMe)PF₆ led to sequential replacement of both carbony groups with the exception of L  ethylene. No evidence of photochemical isocyanide substitution was found. The same carbonyl complexes failed to reach with L thermally. In the absence of light, ethylene, pyridine, and acetonitrile complexes were found to disporportionate in the manner [η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CNMe)(L)₂]PF₆→ [η⁵C₅H₅Fe(CNMe)₂(L)]PF₆ → [η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CNMe)₃]PF₆ with the first rearrangement occurring much faster than the second. The new isocyanide complexes are characterized by their infrared and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectra.     

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.     

The reactions of [Fe2(η-C5H5)2(CO)4−n(CNMe)n] (n = 0–4) complexes with halogens and mercury(II) salts

Halogens, X₂, and HgY₂ (X = Cl, Br, I; Y = X, F, NO₃, BF₄) cleave the metalmetal bonds in [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)_4−n(CNMe)_n] complexes (n = 0–4). Typically, e.g., when n = 2, X₂ electrophiles give [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(CNMe)X] (a) and [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(CNMe)₂]X (b) in relative yields which depend on X, the reaction solvent and n, but HgY₂ give equimolar amounts of [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CNMe)₂Y] (c and [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂HgY] only. Hg(CN)₂ reacts more slowly than other HgY₂, and [Hg(PPh₃)₂I₂] does not react at all. It is suggested that the reactions which give rise to products of type (a), (b) or (c) are all two-electron oxidation which proceed by way of adducts containing μ-CA → X₂ or μ-CA → HgX₂ groups (Ca = CO or CNMe). One of these adducts has been isolated, namely [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CNMe)₂{μ-CN(Me)HgCl₂}₂] · CHCl₃.     

Darstellung und Eigenschaften neuer kationischer Dienyl-isonitril-dicarbonyl-Komplexe des Eisens und Rutheniums

Preparation and Properties of New Cationic Dienyl-isonitrile-dicarbonyl Complexes of Iron and Ruthenium The hydride abstraction from the η⁴-diene isonitrile metal dicarbonyls M(η⁴-dien)(CNR)(CO)₂ (M = Fe, Ru; dien = C₆H₈ cyclohexadiene-1.3; C₇H₁₀ cycloheptadiene-1.3; R = Me, Et) with [Ph₃C]BF₄ lead to the η⁵-dienyl isonitrile dicarbonyl metal cations [M(η⁵-dienyl)(CNR)(CO)₂]⁺ [dienyl = cyclohexa-2.4-dien-1-yl (C₆H₇), cyclohepta-2.4-dien-1-yl (C₇H₉)]. [Fe(η⁵? C₈H₉)(CNMe)(CO)₂]⁺ (C₈H₉ = bicyclo[5.1.0]octa-3.5-dien-2-yl) is formed by protonation of Fe(η⁴? C₈H₈)(CNMe)(CO)₂ (C₈H₈ = COT) under valency isomerization. The two cations [Fe(η⁵? C₇H₉)(CNMe)(CO)₂]⁺ and [Fe(η⁵? C₈H₉)(CNMe)(CO)₂]⁺ can be deprotonated with NEt₃ to the neutral cycloheptatriene respectively COT complexes Fe(η⁴? C₇H₈)(CNMe)(CO)₂ and Fe(η⁴? C₈H₈)(CNMe)(CO)₂. The temperature dependent ¹³C-NMR spectra of [Fe(η⁵? C₇H₉)(CNMe)(CO)₂]⁺ and [Ru(η⁵? C₆H₇)(CNMe)(CO)₂]⁺ show the fluctional behaviour of these cations in solution. At low temperatures one CO group occupies the apical position of a square pyramid whereas the isonitrile ligand, the other CO group and the dienyl part are in the basal positions. The ΔG values of the CP exchange points out a higher activation energy as in the corresponding η⁴-diene metal complexes.     

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].     

The reactions of AgY salts with [Fe2(η-C5H5)2(CO)4-n(CNMe)n] complexes (Y−  NO3−, BF4− or PF6−; n  0, 1 or 2). The crystal structure of [Fe(η-C5H5)2(CNMe)]BF4

The oxidative cleavage of [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)_4-n(CNMe)_n] (n=0−2) by 2AgX gives mononuclear products. It is shown to be a two-electron process in most solvents but a one-electron process in acetonitrile. The two-electron oxidations proceed by way of adducts such as [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)(CNMe)(μ-CO){;μ-CN(Me)AgPPh₃};]BF₄ which are isolable when n = 2, detectable when n = 1 and postulatetd when n = 0. The one-electron process gives no adducts, and 1AgX cleaves all of the substrate to [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(L)(NCMe)]⁺ and [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(L)]^. (L  CO or CNME). The latter may combine or react with added CHBr₃ to give [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(L)Br]. The structure of [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂-(CNMe)]BF₄ has been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Reactions of transition metal σ-acetylide complexes: IX. Preparation and properties of some cycloheptatrienylvinylidene complexes

Addition of [C₇H₇][PF₆] to iron, ruthenium or osmium alkynyl complexes has given eight cationic cycloheptatrienylvinylidene derivatives [M{C C(C₇H₇)R}(L)₂ (η-C₅H₅)][PF₆] (M = Fe, Ru or Os; R = Me, Pr, Ph or C₆F₅; L = PPh₃, L₂ = dppm or dppe; but not all combinations). With Fe(C₂Ph)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅), only [Fe(CO)₂(thf)(η-C₅H₅)][PF₆] was obtained. Reactions of the new complexes are characterised by loss of the C₇H₇ group. The NMR spectra and FAB mass spectra are described in detail.     

Synthesen im system {carbonylmetallat/ketenimin/säure}: XXX. Neue ferra- und rhenaazetidine

The metal carbonyl anions [Fe(η-C₅H₅(CO)₂]^? and [Re(CO)₅] undergo regio- and site-specific [2 + 2]-cycloadditions with the ketenimines Ph₂CCNR (R = Me, Ph) to give the (isolable) anionic complexes [L_n$\text{M{C(CPh}{}_2\text{)N(R)C}$(O)}]^? (L_nM = Fe(η-C₅H₅)CO, Re(CO)₄) which have been alkylated and acylated at the exocyclic oxygen atom of the carbonyl function. The result is stable neutral complexes having a metallaazetidine structure which is composed of an α-metallated enamine and an N,O carbene part. IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR data are presented.     

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.     

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.     

Die thermische reaktion von C5H5(CO)2FeNa mit benzimidchloriden C6H5(Cl)CNR

η⁵-C₅H₅(CO)₂FeNa reacts with the benzimide chlorides C₆H₅(Cl)CNR (R  CH(CH₃)₂, C₆H₅) in boiling THF to give the η¹-iminoacyl complexes η⁵-C₅H₅ (CO)₂Fe[η¹-C(C₆H₅)NR]. Alternatively, the new Fe complexes [η⁵-C₅H₅(CO)Fe$\text{C(C}{}_6\text{H}{}_5\text{)N(CH}{}_3\text{)C(C}{}_6\text{H}{}_5\text{)N}$CH₃PF₆ (IV) and [η⁵-C₅H₅(CO)₂FeC(C₆H₅)N(CH₃)C(C₆H₅)NCH₃]PF₆ (V) are formed under the same conditions, if R  CH₃. Hudrolysis of the CN single bond of the ligand in V, not stabilized by a chelate effects as in IV, results in the formation of [η⁵-C₅H₅(CO)₂FeC(C₆H₅)NHCH₃]PF₆ (VII). Reaction of η⁵-C₅H₅(CO)₂ with N-benyzylbenzimido chloride yields η⁵-C₅H₅(CO)₂FeCH₂C₆H₅ as the only isolated product.     

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.     

Dithiolene transfer from nickel to a dimolybdenum centre: the first dithiolene alkyne complex

Transfer of dithiolene ligands from [Ni(S₂C₂Ph₂)₂] to the dimolybdenum complex [Mo₂(μ-C₂R₂)(CO)₄Cp₂] (R=CO₂Me, Cp=η-C₅H₅) affords the first example of a dithiolene alkyne complex, [Mo₂(μ-C₂R₂)(μ-S₂C₂Ph₂)₂Cp₂], together with [Mo₂(μ-SCRCR)(μ-SCPhCPh)Cp₂] in which sulfur transfer from dithiolene to alkyne has occurred.     

Dithiocarbamate complexes of cyclopentadienylcobalt(III), [Co(η-C5H5)(L)(S2CNR2)] (L = ligand)

The reactions of [Co(η-C₅H₅)(L)I₂] with Na[S₂CNR₂] (R = alkyl or phenyl) give [Co(η-C₅H₅)(I)(S₂CNR₂)] (I) when L = CO and [Co(η-C₅H₅)(L)(S₂CNR₂)]I (II) when L is a tertiary phosphine, phosphite or stibine, or organo-isocyanide ligand. In similar reactions [Co(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(C₃F₇)I] gives [Co(η-C₅H₅)(C₃F₇)(S₂CNMe₂)] and [Mn(η-MeC₅H₄)(CO)₂(NO)]PF₆ forms [Mn(η-MeC₅H₄)(NO)(S₂CNR₂)]. The iodide ligands in I may be displaced by L, to give II, or by other ligands such as [CN]^?, [NCS]^?, H₂O or pyridine whilst SnCl₂ converts it to SnCl₂I. The iodide counter-anion in II may be replaced by others to give [BPh₄]^?, [Co(CO)₄]^? or [NO₃]^? salts. However [CN]^? acts differently and displaces (PhO)₃P from [Co(η-C₅H₅){P(OPh)₃}(S₂CNMe)]I to give [Co(η-C₅H₅)(CN)(S₂CNMe₂)] which may be alkylated reversibly by MeI and irreversibly by MeSO₃F to [Co(η-C₅H₅)(CNMe)(S₂CNMe₂)]⁺ salts. Conductivity measurements suggest that solutions of I in donor solvents are partially ionized with the formation of [Co(η-C₅H₅)(solvent)(S₂CNR₂)]⁺ I^? species. The IR and ¹H NMR spectra of the various complexes are reported. They are consistent with pseudo-octahedral “pianostool” molecular structures in which the bidentate dithiocarbamate ligands are coordinated to the metal atoms through both sulphur atoms.     

Syntheses of σ-cyclobut-1-en-3-onyl complexes by cycloaddition of ketenes to some transition metal alkynyl complexes

Reactions of ketenes (R¹R²CCO) with (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(PPh₃)CCR (I) and (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(L)CCR (III, L = CO and PPh₃) give σ-cyclobut-1-en-3-onyl complexes, {(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(PPh₃)$\text{CC(R)COC}$}R¹R² (VI) and (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(L)$\text{CC(R)COC}$R¹R² (IX)}, (2 + 2) cycloaddition products, in good yields. The σ-cyclobutenonyl complexes also can be prepared by the reaction of I and III with acyl chlorides in the presence of triethylamine.     

Synthesis of the compounds [Re(CR)(CO)2(η5-C9H7)][BF4] (R = C6H4Me-4 or C6H3Me2-2,6) and the preparation of complexes with FeRe bonds

The salts [Re(CR)CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇)][BF₄] [R = C₆H₄Me-4 or C₆H₃Me-2,6; η⁵- C₉H₇ = indenyl] have been prepared and used to synthesize the dimetal compounds [FeRe(μ-CR)(μ-NO)(CO)₄(η⁵-C₉H₇)]. The iron-rhenium species containing a bridging p- tolylmethylidyne ligands react with [Fe₂(CO)₉] or with [Ru(CO)₄(η-C₂H₄)], respectively, to yield the trimetal compounds ([FeMRe(μ₃-CC₆H₄Me-4)(μ-CO)(μ-NO)(CO)₆(η ₅-C₉H₇)] (M = Fe or Ru).     

Sequential conversion of ethyne into μ-vinylidene, μ-methylcarbyne and μ-methylcarbene at a di-ruthenium centre: X-ray structures of [Ru2(CO)2(μ-CO) (μ-CCH2) (η-C5H5)2] and [Ru2(CO)2(μ-CO) (μ-CCH3) (η-C5H5)2] [BF4]

The ethyne-derived demetallocycle [Ru₂(CO) (μ-CO){μ-C(O)C₂H₂}(η-C₅H₅)₂ isomerises in boiling toluene to yield the μ-vinylidene complex [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)(μ-CCH₂) (η-C₅H₅)₂], which on protonation with dry HBF₄ provides the μ-carbyne complex [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)(μ-CCH₃)(η-C₅H₅)₂][BF₄]; the structure of each product has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The μ-carbyne cation is attacked by hydride to produce the μ-methylcarbene complex [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)(μ-CHCH₃)(η-C₅H₅)₂].     

Übergangsmetall-Fulven-Komplexe: XXXI. Die Reaktivität des [η5-(C5H4CHO)M(CO)3]−-Anions (M  Mo,W) gegenüber Carbonsäurechloriden

The reactivity of the (η⁵-formylcyclopentadienyl)M(CO)₃ anions (M  Mo, W) towards acyl chlorides has been studied. Acetyl chloride reacts with the anions to give two different types of substituted cyclopentadienyl complexes: [M(Cl)(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂OC(O)CH₃)(CO)₃] and [M(η¹-CH₃CO)(η⁵-CH₃CO)(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂OC(O)CH₃)(CO)₃]. The reaction of the anions with benzoyl chloride only yields the chloro complexes [M(Cl)(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂OC(O)C₆H₅)(CO)₃]. The molecular structure of [W(Cl)(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂OC(O)CH₃)(CO)₃] has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Copper-tungsten complexes with bridging tolylmethylidyne ligands: Crystal structure of the compound [CuW2(μ3-CC6H4Me-4)(CO)4(PPh3)(η-C5H5)2]·CH2Cl2

The complexes [W(CC₆H₄Me-4)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)] and [Cu(NCMe)₄][PF₆] in dichloromethane combine to form the salt [Cu&W(CC₆H₄Me-4)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)&₂][PF₆], but the latter very readily dissociates in solution releasing the tolylmethylidynetungsten compound. The more stable salt [CuW(μ-CC₆H₄Me-4)(CO)₂(NCMe)(PPh₃) (η-C₅H₅)][PF₆] is obtained by addition of [W(CC₆H₄Me-4)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)] to a dichloromethane solution of [Cu(NCMe)₄][PF₆] previously treated with 1 mol equivalent of PPh₃. In the presence of additional PPh₃, however, no copper-tungsten complex is formed. Several reactions of [CuW(μ-CC₆H₄Me-4)(CO)₂(NCMe)(PPh₃)(η-C₅H₅)][PF₆] have been studied, but these led only to release of [W(CC₆H₄Me-4)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)]. The compounds [&CuH(PPh₃)&₆] and [W(CC₆H₄Me-4)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)] react in toluene at room temperature to give [W(CO)₂(η³-CH₂C₆H₄Me-4)(η-C₅H₅)] and the new cluster compound [CuW₂(μ₃-CC₆H₄Me-4)(CO)₄(PPh₃)(η-C₅H₅)₂]. The structure of the latter species has been established by X-ray diffraction. A CuW₂ metal triangle [CuW 2.640(2) and 2.610(2), and WW 3.064(1) Å] is asymmetrically capped by a CC₆H₄Me-4 group [μ₃-CCu 2.130(9), μ₃-CW 2.035(9) and 2.122(9) Å]. The copper atom is ligated by a PPh₃ molecule, and each tungsten by an η⁵-cyclopentadienyl and two carbonyl groups. The copper atom is weakly coordinated in a semi-bridging manner by two of the CO ligands, one on each tungsten, and is also very weakly bound to a third. The molecule undergoes dynamic behaviour in solution.