Reactions of nitrosonium ion with anionic carbonyl monomers and clusters. Crystal and molecular structure of FeCo2(μ3-NH)(CO)9

The reactions of several mono- and poly-nuclear carbonyl metallates with nitrosonium ion have been studied. Besides simple substitution of a carbon monoxide with NO⁺ some reactions yielded products containing other nitrogeneous ligands. When [CoRu₃(CO)₁₃]^? reacts with NO⁺, low yields of the new nitrido cluster CoRu₃N(CO)₁₂ are formed. Prior conversion of [CoRu₃(CO)₁₃]^? to the new hydrido cluster [H₂CoRu₃(CO)₁₂]^? under hydrogen, followed by nitrosylation, forms the new imido cluster H₂Ru₃(NH)(CO)₉ in very low yield. The reaction of [FeCO₃(CO)₁₂]^? with NO⁺ also generates an imido cluster, FeCo₂(NH)(CO)₉, in 15% yield. This cluster has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and was found to be similar to the tricobalt alkylidyne clusters. (Triclinic crystal system, P$\text{1}$ space group, Z=2, a 6.787(1), b 8.016(1), c 13.881(2) Å, α 95.50(1), β 100.77(1), γ 107.93(1)°. Modifications of the nitrosylations using NO⁺ were studied. In particular, the addition of triethylamine or N-t-butylbenzaldimine allowed the use of NO⁺ in THF without solvent decomposition. With [CpMo(CO)₃]^? and [CpFe(CO)₂]^? the N-nitrosoiminium species appears to form transient alkylmetals which further react to give the dimers [CpMo(CO)₃]₂ and [CpFe(CO)₂]₂.     

The reactions of Ir(CO)Cl(PPh3)2 with HSnPh3

A reinvestigation of the reaction of Ir(CO)Cl(PPh₃)₂, 1 with HSnPh₃ has revealed that the oxidative-addition product Ir(CO)Cl(PPh₃)₂(H)(SnPh₃), 2 has the H and SnPh₃ ligands in cis-related coordination sites. Compound 2 reacts with a second equivalent of HSnPh₃ by a Cl for H ligand exchange to yield the new compound H₂Ir(CO)(SnPh₃)(PPh₃)₂, 3. Compound 3 contains two cis- related hydride ligands. Under an atmosphere of CO, 1 reacts with HSnPh₃ to replace the Cl ligand with SnPh₃ and one of the PPh₃ ligands with a CO ligand and also adds a second equivalent of CO to yield the 5-coordinate complex Ir(CO)₃(SnPh₃)(PPh₃), 4. Compound 4 reacts with HSnPh₃ by loss of CO and oxidative addition of the Sn-H bond to yield the 6-coordinate complex HIr(CO)₂(SnPh₃)₂(PPh₃), 5 that contains two trans-positioned SnPh₃ ligands.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the double cluster [Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4)]2(p-C6H4)

[Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] (1) reacts with p-BrC₆H₄Li and MeOH in sequence to afford the functionalized cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (2), while the reaction of 2 with n-BuLi and MeOH produces [Cp₂Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄Bu)(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (3). The double cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄)]₂(p-C₆H₄) (4) has been prepared by treatment of [Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] with p-C₆H₄Li₂ and MeOH in sequence. The electrochemistry of 2 and 4, as well as the crystal structure of 4 have been investigated.     

Thiocarbonyl complexes of ruthenium(II). Synthesis of RuCl2(CS)(H2O)(PPh3)2 and RuHCl(CS)(PPh3)3

A high-yield synthesis of trans-RuCl₂(CS)(H₂O)(PPh₃)₂ from RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ and CS₂ is described. The coordinated water molecule is labile, and introduction of CNR (R  p-toyl or p-chlorophenyl) leads to yellow trans-RuCl₂(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂, which isomerises thermally to colourless cis-RuCl₂(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂. Reaction of AgClO₄ with cis-RuCl₂(CS)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂ gives [RuCl(CS)(CNR)(H₂O)(PPh₃)₂]⁺, from which [RuCl(CS)(CO)(CNR)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ and [RuCl(CS)(CNR)₂(PPh₃)₂]⁺ are derived. Reaction of trans-RuCl₂(CS)(H₂O)(PPh₃)₂ with sodium formate gives Ru(η²-O₂CH)Cl(CS)(PPh₃)₂, which undergoes decarboxylation in the presence of (PPh₃) to give RuHCl(CS)(PPh₃)₃. Ru(η²-O₂CH)H(CS)(PPh₃)₂ and Ru(η²-O₂CMe)-H(CS)(PPh₃)₂ are also described.     

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.     

Reactions of isonitriles with [Fe3(CO)12] and [Ru3(CO)12] monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry: structural characterisation of [Fe3(CO)10(CNPh)2] and [Ru4(CO)11(μ3-η-CNPh)2(CNPh)]

The reactions of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] or [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with RNC (R=Ph, C₆H₄OMe-p or CH₂SO₂C₆H₄Me-p) have been investigated using electrospray mass spectrometry. Species arising from substitution of up to six ligands were detected for [Fe₃(CO)₁₂], but the higher-substituted compounds were too unstable to be isolated. The crystal structure of [Fe₃(CO)₁₀(CNPh)₂] was determined at 150 and 298 K to show that both isonitrile ligands were trans to each other on the same Fe atom. For [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] substitution of up to three COs was found, together with the formation of higher-nuclearity clusters. [Ru₄(CO)₁₁(CNPh)₃] was structurally characterised and has a spiked-triangular Ru₄ core with two of the CNPh ligands coordinated in an unusual μ₃-η² mode.     

Insertion of CS2 and CSe2 into metal—amido bonds. Mono- versus bi-dentate dithiocarbamates formed by reactions of CS2 + NHR2 with {CpMo(CO)n}2 (M  Fe, n  2; m  Mo, n  3)

The reaction of Cp₂Fe₂(CO)₄ with NHEt₂ and CS₂ gives the monodentate dithiocarbamate CpFe(CO)₂-η¹-SC(S)NEt₂ (Ia), whereas the same reaction with CP₂Mo₂(CO)₆ gives the chelate CPMo(CO)₂-η₂-S₂CNEt₂ (II). New complexes of amines CpFe(CO)₂(NHR₂)⁺PF₆- (III, R  Me, Et, SiMe₃) have been synthesized by treating CpFe(CO)₂Cl with NHR₂. They do not react with CS₂ and give only [CpFe(CO)₂]₂ upon refluxing with bases such as t-BuOK or NEt(i-Pr)₂, but concerted CS₂ insertion in the presence of a base immediately gives I at 20°C. This clean route is used to synthesize the monodentate diselenocarbamate CpFe(CO)₂-η¹-SeC(Se)NMe₂ (IV) by reaction of CSe₂ with III (R  Me) in the presence of t-BuOK. Whereas the known reaction of CpFe(CO)₂Cl with Na⁺S₂CNMe₂^? gives Ib (R  Me), the analogous reaction of C₅Me₅Me(CO)₂Br gives specifically the thermally stable chelate C₅Me₅Fe(CO)-η²-S₂CNMe₂ (Vb′).     

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.     

Stabilisation of [Fe2(CO)9] and [Ru2(CO)9] bu substitution with bridging diphosphorus ligands

Reaction of [Fe₂(CO)₉] with a half molar amount of R₂PYPR₂ (Y = CH₂, R = Ph, Me, OMe or OPrⁱ; Y = N(Et), R = OPh, OMe or OCH₂; Y = N(Me), R = OPrⁱ or OEt) leads to the ready formation of a product which on irradiation with ultraviolet light rapidly decarbonylates to the heptacarbonyl derivative [Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆{μ-R₂PYPR₂}]. Treatment of the latter with a slight excess of the appropriate ligand results, under photochemical conditions, in the formation of the dinuclear pentacarbonyl complex [Fe₂(μ-CO)(C))₄{μ-R₂PYPR₂}₂] but under thermal conditions in the formation of the mononuclear species [Fe(CO)₃{R₂PYPR₂}]. Reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with an equimolar amount of (RO)₂PN(R′)P(OR)₂ (R′ = Me, R = Prⁱ or Et; R′ = Et, R = Ph or Me) under either thermal or photochemical conditions produces [Ru₃(CO)₁₀{μ-(RO)₂PN(OR)₂}] which reacts further with excess (RO)₂PN(R′)P(OR)₂ on irradiation with ultraviolet light to afford the dinuclear compound [Ru₂(μ-CO)(CO₄{μ-(RO)₂PN(R′)P(OR)₂}₂]. The molecular structure of [Ru₂(μ-CO)(CO)₄{μ-(MeO)₂PN(Et)P(OMe)₂}₂], which has been determined by X-ray crystallography, is described.     

Methyl abstraction kinetics of CpFe(CO)2Me using the benzyl radical clock

The rate constant for the methyl abstraction reaction of CpFe(CO)₂Me has been measured with the benzyl radical clock as (1.1 ± 0.2) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at room temperature. Time-resolved Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy pointed towards the formation of the CpFe(CO)₂ radical upon benzyl abstraction. The main stable product has been established by a linear scan of the reaction mixture as Cp₂Fe₂(CO)₄ produced by the dimerization of the CpFe(CO)₂ radicals. The transition state structure for the abstraction process was also found at UB3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory to contain a planar CH₃ group.     

Gezielte synthesen von zweifach μ3-verbrückten dreikernigen eisenclustern Fe3(CO)9(μ3-S)(μ3-X) (X = PR,AsR, SO) aus [Fe3(CO)9(μ3-S-t-C4H9)]−

The cluster anion [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-S-t-C₄H₉)]^?, which is easily obtained by deprotonation from the cluster compound Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₂-H)(μ₃-S-t-C₄H₉), reacts with XCl₂ by elimination of t-C₄H₉Cl and Cl^? to give the clusters Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-S)(μ₃-X) (X = PR: I, X = AsR: II, X = SO: III), in which one edge of the iron triangle is opened. The μ₃-PR-bridged clusters I can also be obtained by reactions of SCl₂ with the anions [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-PR)]^2?, prepared from Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₂-H)₂(μ₃-PR) by deprotonation. The geometry of I and II is exemplified by X-ray structure analyses. Experimental evidence for a reaction pathway, proposed for the high yield syntheses of I, is discussed.     

Electrochemical behaviour of [Ru(L)(CO)2Cl2] [Ru(L)(CO)Cl3][Me4N] and [Ru(L)(CO)2(CH3CN)2][CF3SO3]2 complexes (L = 2,2′- bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine)

The clectrochemical behaviour of the complexes [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂], [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ (L = 2,2′-bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine) has been investigated in CH₃CN. The oxidation of [Ru(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] produces new complexes [Ru^III(L)(CO)(CH₃CN)₂Cl]²⁺ as a consequence of the instability of the electrogenerated transient Ru^III species [Ru^III(L)(CO)₂Cl₂]⁺. In contrast, the oxidation of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] produces the stable [Ru^III(L)(CO)Cl₃] complex. In contrast [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ is not oxidized in the range up to the most positive potentials achievable. The reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ results in the formation of identical dark blue strongly adherent electroactive films. These films exhibit the characteristics of a metal-metal bond dimer structure. No films are obtained on reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N]. The effect of the substitution of the bipyridine ligand by electron-withdrawing carboxy ester groups on the electrochemical behaviour of all these complexes has also been investigated.     

A one-pot method to prepare the carbene complex [TpRhCl2(CHNiPr2)] from [TpRh(CO)2], CHCl3, and NHiPr2

The complex [Tp^Me₂,ClRh(CO)₂] reacts with chloroform to give quantitatively the rhodium(III) complex [Tp^Me₂,ClRhCl(CHCl₂)(CO)] resulting from the oxidative addition of a C-Cl bond. Further reaction with diisopropylamine gives the aminocarbene complex [Tp^Me₂,ClRhCl₂(CHNiPr₂)], whose X-ray crystal structure has been solved. Addition of an excess of diisopropylamine to [Tp^Me₂,ClRh(CO)₂] in chloroform provides directly [Tp^Me₂,ClRhCl₂(CHNiPr₂)].     

Synthesis and reactivity of [ReBr2(NCCH3)2(CO)2]: A new precursor for bioorganometallic chemistry

We have synthesised (Et₄N)[ReBr₂(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂] 1 in two steps from [ReBr₃(CO)₃]²⁻. Complex 1 is water and air stable and the two Br⁻ ligands are easily exchanged for coordinating solvent molecules such as water. The reactivity of 1 with several ligands such as imidazole (imz) and 2-picolinic acid (2-pic) are easily possible with substitution exclusively occurring in trans-position to the carbonyl groups. The resulting complexes [Re(imz)₂(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂]⁺ and [Re(2-pic)(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂] have been isolated and structurally characterised. The two acetonitrile ligands are strongly bound and are not substituted under any conditions. Complex 1 represents therefore the new moiety “trans,cis-[Re(NCCH₃)₂(CO)₂]⁺” which can be considered as a further building block in organometallic chemistry.     

Selective formation of trans and cis(CH3CN) isomers of [Ru(bpy)(CO)2(CH3CN)2] (bpy=2,2-bipyridine) from [Ru(CO)2(CH3CN)3]2(PF6)2 using an electrochemical oxidation step

The selective in situ synthesis of trans and cis(CH₃CN)-[Ru(bpy)(CO)₂ (CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ isomers from the same [Ru(CO)₂ (CH₃CN)₃]₂²⁺ dimer precursor but using either an electrochemical-chemical or chemical-electrochemical process is described.     

Propionyl complexes of ruthenium derived from the reaction of ethylene with RuHCl(CO)2(PPh3)2

RuHCl(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ reacts with ethylene under mild conditions (25 psi, 80°C) to yield a propionyl derivative RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ which is believed to be coordinatively unsaturated. Unlike the acetyl analogue, RuCl[C[O]C₂H₅(CO)-(PPh₃)₂ does not isomerize to RuCl(C₂H₅)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ in solution. Under one atmosphere of carbon monoxide, RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅(CO)(PPh₃)₂ exists in equilibrium with two species believed to be RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ and [Ru(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂]Cl. RuCl(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ reacts with CO/ AgClO₄ to give mer-[Ru(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂]ClO₄, p-tolylisocyanide (RNC) and NaClO₄ to give cis-[Ru(C[O]C₂H₅)(CO)(CNR)₂(PPh₃)₂ClO₄, and hydrochloric acid to yield the hydroxycarbene complex, RuCl₂(CO)(C[OH]C₂H₅)(PPh₃)₂.     

Isolation of fac-[Re(CO)3(HMPA)3][BF4]. Structural characterization of a key cationic intermediate in the exchange reaction between [Re(CO)6][BF4] and acetylferrocene. Implications in radiopharmaceutical chemistry

[Re(CO)₆][BF₄] reacts with HMPA to form [Re(CO)₃(HMPA)₃][BF₄] (4), whose structure was determined by X-ray crystallography and proves to be a key intermediate in the ligand exchange reaction between three CO and Cp; and may be related to other cations such as [Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺, [Re(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃]⁺, [Re(CO)₃(DMSO)₃]⁺, obtained by different ways, and important in the field of organometallic radiopharmaceuticals.     

Bis(dimethylphosphino)methane (dmpm) complexes of iron,molybdenum and chromium: X-ray crystal structures of FeCr(CO)6(μ-dmpm)2 and Fe2(CO)4(μ-CO)(μ-dmpm)2

The photolysis of Fe(η¹-dmpm)(dmpm)₂ [dmpm = bis(dimethylphosphino) methane) with Cr(CO)₆ and Fe(CO)₅ under UV irradiation produces FeCr(CO)₆(μ-dmpm)₂, Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-CO)(μ-dmpm) and Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-CO)(μ-dmpm)₂ respectively. The interaction of Mo(CO)₃(MeCN)₃ and (C₇H₈)Cr(CO)₃ with dmpm produces Mo₂(CO)₆(μ-dmpm)₃ and cis-Cr(CO)₂(dmpm)₂ respectively. The X-ray crystal structure of FeCr(CO)₆(μ-dmpm)₂ shows the molecule to contain a trigonal bipyramidal Fe(CO)₃P₂ unit plus a square pyramidal Cr(CO)₃P₂ unit held closely together by the methylene bridges of the dmpm ligands with steric compression between the CO groups causing distortions from ideal geometry in each case. The Cr … Fe distance is 3.111(6) Å and there seems to be little structural evidence of any form of interaction between the 16e Cr(O) centre and the Fe-containing unit. The structure of Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-CO)(μ-dmpm)₂ contains a symmetrical μ₂-carbonyl and a single bond between the two symmetry related (m) iron atoms. The Fe … Fe distance is 2.719(4) Å.     

[M(CO)2(NO)], a new core in bioorganometallic chemistry: model complexes of [Re(CO)2(NO)] and [Tc(CO)2(NO)]

In this study selected bidentate (L²) and tridentate (L³) ligands were coordinated to the Re(I) or Tc(I) core [M(CO)₂(NO)]²⁺ resulting in complexes of the general formula fac-[MX(L²)(CO)₂(NO)] and fac-[M(L³)(CO)₂(NO)] (M = Re or Tc; X = Br or Cl). The complexes were obtained directly from the reaction of [M(CO)₂(NO)]²⁺ with the ligand or indirectly by first reacting the ligand with [M(CO)₃]⁺ and subsequent nitrosylation with [NO][BF₄] or [NO][HSO₄]. Most of the reactions were performed with cold rhenium on a macroscopic level before the conditions were adapted to the n.c.a. level with technetium (^99mTc). Chloride, bromide and nitrate were used as monodentate ligands, picolinic acid (PIC) as a bidentate ligand and histidine (HIS), iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as tridentate ligands. We synthesised and describe the dinuclear complex [ReCl(μ-Cl)(CO)₂(NO)]₂ and the mononuclear complexes [NEt₄][ReCl₃(CO)₂(NO)], [NEt₄][ReBr₃(CO)₂(NO)], [ReBr(PIC)(CO)₂(NO)], [NMe₄][Re(NO₃)₃(CO)₂(NO)], [Re(HIS)(CO)₂(NO)][BF₄], [⁹⁹Tc(HIS)(CO)₂(NO)][BF₄], [^99mTc(IDA)(CO)₂ (NO)] and [^99mTc(NTA)(CO)₂(NO)]. The chemical and physical characteristics of the Re and Tc-dicarbonyl-nitrosyl complexes differ significantly from those of the corresponding tricarbonyl compounds.     

Studies of lambert's reaction: The formation of [Mn2(CO)8(μ-AsR2)2] complexes from tertiary arsines and [Mn2(CO)10] at high temperatures

Although very bulky ligands e.g.(o-MeC₆H₄)₃E or (μ-C₁₀H₇)₃E (E = P or As) are inert, the normal photochemical or thermal reaction of tertiary phosphines or arsines, L, with [Mn₂(CO)₁₀] is CO substitution with the formation of [Mn₂(CO)₈(L)₂] derivatives (I). At elevated temperatures some triarylarsines, R₃As, undergo Lambert's reaction with ligand fragmentation to give [Mn₂(CO)₈(μ-AsR₂)₂] complexes (II) (R = Ph, p-MeOC₆H₄, p-FC₆H₄, or p-CIC₆H₄) even though, in the absence of [Mn₂(CO)₁₀] R₃As are stable under the same conditions. Exceptional behaviour is exhibited by (p-Me₂NC₆H₄)_3- As which forms a product of type I; by some HN(C₆H₄)₂AsR which give a product of type II as a result of loss of the non-aryl groups R = PhCH₂, cyclo-C₆H₁₁, or MeO; and by Ph(α-C₁₀H₇₂P which is the only phosphine to form a product of type II, albeit in trace amounts only. The thermal decomposition of a n-butanol solution of [Mn₂(CO)₈(AsPh₃)₂] in a sealed tube gives C₆H₆ and [Mn₂(CO)₈(α-AsPh₂)₂], whilst in an open system in the presence of various tertiary phosphines, L, [Mn(H)(CO)₃(L)₂] are obtained. It is suggested that Lambert's reaction is a thermal fragmentation of [Mn(CO)₄(AsR₃]^* radicals, the first to be recognised. They lose the radical R^* which abstracts hydrogen from the solvent. The resulting [Mn(CO)₄(AsR₂)] moiety dimerises to [Mn₂(CO)_8-(α-AsR₂)₂]. the reaction is facilitated by the stability of the departing radical (e.g. PhCH₂ or MeO) and, as the crowding about As is relieved, by its size (e.g. Ph, cyclo-C₆H₁₁, o-MeC₆H₄, or α-C₁₀H₇). In general, phosphine-substituted radicals [Mn(CO)₄(PR)₃]^* do not undergo this decomposition, probably because the PC bonds are much stronger than AsC.