Structural alterations of humic acid fractions in a steel slag-compost fertilizer during fertilization. Analysis by pyrolysis/methylation-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Alterations in the structural features of humic acids (HAs) in a steel slag-compost fertilizer for supplying soluble Fe(II) to barren ground in coastal areas were monitored during a 6-month period of fertilization. HAs, the major organic fractions in the fertilizer, were extracted at different periods of time (2, 4 and 6 months) in the absence and presence of steel slag. To focus on the polymeric structure of the HA-backbone and the organic fractions, which are sorbed onto the HA-polymeric matrix (e.g., lipids), the extracted HA samples were analyzed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry under conditions where the sample is methylated with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH-py-GC/MS). The structural features analyzable by TMAH-py-GC/MS for the HA were dramatically altered in the presence of steel slag during the fertilization period. The major modification involved a decrease in phenolic moieties and a significant increase in the sulfur-containing pyrolysate compounds. These results indicate that the steel slag has a significant effect in altering the structure of HA in the fertilizer. TMAH-py-GC/MS analysis of the HAs indicated that the sulfur in the HAs was present in an organic form and not as elemental sulfur. Significant increases in the levels of biomarker fatty acids (iso- and anteiso-C_15:0 and C_17:0 carboxylic acids), which are related to the activity of sulfate reducing bacteria, suggests that the significant alterations in the HA structures in the presence of steel slag can be attributed to the sulfurization of organic matter in the fertilizer to form hydrogen polysulfides by the reduction of sulfate ions in seawater and/or steel slag via microbial processes.     

Bioreduction of hexavalent chromium: Effect of compost-derived humic acids and hematite

Composting can enhance the nutrient elements cycling and reduce carbon dioxide production. However, little information is available regarding the application of compost for the remediation of the contaminated soil. In this study, we assess the response of the redox capacities (electron accepting capacities (EAC) and electron donating capacities (EDC)) of compost-derived humic acids (HAs) to the bioreduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), especially in presence of hematite. The result showed that the compost-derived HAs played an important role in the bioreduction of Cr(VI) in presence and absence of hematite under the anoxic, neutral (pH 7) and motionless conditions. Based on the pseudo-first order kinetic model, the rate constants of Cr(VI) reduction increased by 1.36–2.0 times when compost-derived HAs was added. The redox capacity originating from the polysaccharide structure of compost-derived HAs made them effective in the direct Cr(VI) reduction (without MR-1) at pH 7. Meanwhile, the reduction rates were inversely proportional to the composting treatment time. When iron mineral (Fe₂O₃) and compost-derived HAs were both present, the rate constants of Cr(VI) reduction increased by 2.35–5.09, which were higher than the rate of Cr(VI) reduction in HA-only systems, indicating that the hematite played a crucial role in the bioreduction process of Cr(VI). EAC and quinonoid structures played a major role in enhancing the bioreduction of Cr(VI) when iron mineral and compost-derived HAs coexisted in the system. The results can extend the application fields of compost and will provide a new insight for the remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated soil.     

Separation of C1-C5 aliphatic carboxylic acids on a highly sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer resin column with a C6 aliphatic carboxylic acid solution as the mobile phase

Simultaneous separation of C₁-C₅ aliphatic carboxylic acids (formic, acetic, propionic, iso-butyric, butyric, iso-valeric and valeric acids) on a highly sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer resin column (TSKgel SCX,  mm i.d.) was performed with C₆ aliphatic carboxylic acids (3-methyl-n-valeric, iso-caproic and caproic acids) solutions as the mobile phases. Using 0.05 mM sulfuric acid at pH 4.0 as the mobile phase, although good separation of these C₁-C₅ acids was achieved, peaks of the C₅ acids (iso-valeric and valeric acids) with large hydrophobicity tailed strongly. In contrast, using 1 mM C₆ acids at pH ca. 4.0 as the mobile phases, although vacant peaks corresponding to the C₆ acids in the mobile phase appeared, the peak shapes of the C₅ acids were improved greatly. Excellent simultaneous separation, symmetrical peaks and relatively high-sensitivity conductimetric detection for these C₁-C₅ acids were achieved on the TSKgel SCX column in 15 min with 1 mM iso-caproic acid at pH 4.0 as the mobile phase.     

Thermally produced ω-(o-alkylphenyl)alkanoic acids provide evidence for the processing of marine products in archaeological pottery vessels

ω-(o-Alkylphenyl)alkanoic acids with 16, 18 and 20 carbon atoms were identified in archaeological pottery vessels from coastal sites in Southern Brazil. Such compounds are presumed to form during heating of triunsaturated fatty acids (C_16:3, C_18:3 and C_20:3), which are commonly found in the tissues of marine animals. The detection of these unusual cyclic compounds together with the isoprenoid fatty acids, 4,8,12-trimethyltetradecanoic acid and phytanic acid and substantial quantities of archaeological bones of fish and mollusca, provides evidence for the processing of marine animal products in archaeological pottery.     

High-temperature carbonization of humic acids and a composite of humic acids with graphene oxide

Humic acids (HAs) isolated from high-moor peat have been studied by magic-angle spinning solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and Raman spectroscopy. A composite of HAs with graphene oxide (GO) has been prepared for the first time, and the thermal carbonization (900°C) of both HAs and the HA–GO composite has been carried out. With the use of mass spectrometry, it has been found that CO₂ and H₂O molecules are mainly released from HAs into the gas phase at a low temperature (to 150°C). At higher temperatures, carbon monoxide and different low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons also begin to be released. From microscopic examinations, it follows that HA forms small agglomerates with sharply outlined edges as a result of carbonization, whereas the composite forms only large aggregates.     

Fluorescent detection of amidinium-carboxylate and amidinium formation using anthracene-based diamidine: an application for the analysis of dicarboxylic acid binding

An anthracene-based diamidine (1) ‘turn-on’ fluorescent probe for the detection of dicarboxylic acids has been designed and synthesized. The fluorescence spectra of the diamidine 1 with carboxylic acids that showed two different fluorescence bands, which corresponded to the amidinium-carboxylate (λ_em=430-440 nm), and amidinium (λ_em=460-470 nm as a broad band) formation, were confirmed by DOSY NMR and TD-DFT calculations. These different fluorescence bands showed the binding mode of carboxylic acids and the stability of formed complexes toward diamidine 1. The fluorescent detection of amidinium-carboxylate formation using diamidine 1 was applicable to the detection of α,ω-dicarboxylic acids (C₆-C₁₃) and succeeded in the detection of α,ω-dicarboxylic acid (adipic acid) in human urine.     

Assessment of different sorbents efficiency for solid phase extraction of aquatic humic acids

In the present study, a simple procedure for the isolation by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and quantification by UV-Vis spectrometry (400 nm) of the humic acids (HAs) in the natural waters was developed. Seven different sorbents: Porapak P (polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer), Florisil (chemical composition: 84.0% SiO₂, 15.5% MgO and 0.5% Na₂SO₄), Silica gel C18 (octadecyl silane), Strata X (surface modified polystyrene-divinylbenzene), Strata NH₂ (silica-based trifunctional amino ligand), Strata SAX (silica-based trifunctional quaternary amine) and Strata C18-E (silica-based trifunctional C18 with hydrophobic end-capping of silanols) were tested. The HAs, adsorbed on SPE cartridges, were eluted using: NaOH (0.1 M), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) (20 g L⁻¹), and a 1:1 v/v mixture of SDS (20 g L⁻¹) and NaOH (0.1 M). The extraction efficiency was evaluated by comparing the HAs recovery levels. The repeatability of results was estimated by the relative standard deviation (RSD). The data confirmed that Porapak P, Silica gel C18, Florisil, Strata NH₂ and Strata X could be good alternatives for the traditional isolation of the aquatic HAs with XAD resin. The proposed method was applied for the determination of HAs in some waters sampled from the Western Romanian Plain. The content of HAs was correlated with the arsenic concentration and total organic carbon (TOC) level.      

Electrochemical reduction of oxygen in the presence of humic acids

The effect of the nature of humic acids (HAs), their modification by mechanochemical methods, and the pH of the medium on the electrochemical reduction of oxygen is determined. The mechanical activation of caustobioliths, regardless of their nature, is shown to increase the role of quinone moieties in the composition of HAs, thus promoting the initiation of the electrochemical reduction of O₂ in a basic medium. The conclusion is drawn that this changes not only the ratio of redox-active moieties in HAs, which determine the total antioxidant activity, but also their character.     

Studies of structural alterations of humic acids from conifer bark residue during composting by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH-py-GC/MS)

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH-py-GC/MS) was used to characterize the humic acids (HAs) produced during the composting of conifer bark. The syringyl to guaiacyl ratios of HAs during composting were estimated from the peak area ratios for 3,4,5-trimethoxy to 3,4-dimethoxy benzene derivatives (0.11–0.50), which are characteristic of conifer species. The peak areas for nitrogen-containing and fatty acid pyrolysate compounds increased significantly during composting, indicating the degree of humification during composting. HA samples from the bark composts contained higher levels of diterpene resin acids, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. To investigate the species of terpenes, the HA was extracted with ethanol, and the components of the extract classified into α-HA and hymatomelanic acid (HMA) fractions, respectively. The peak areas for terpenes in the α-HA fraction were much smaller than those in the original HA, indicating that the majority of terpenes were extracted into the HMA fraction. If terpenes were to bind to HMA via unspecified interactions, no peaks would be apparent for the direct injection of HMA in ethanol into the GC/MS without pyrolysis. A comparison of the total ion chromatograms of HMA for the TMAH-py-GC/MS and GC/MS revealed that terpenes in the HA had been incorporated into polymeric structures of HMA. These results indicate that terpenes are transferred from the raw bark and incorporated into HA fractions during the composting processes.     

Stereoselective synthesis of erythro-β-hydroxy carboxylic acids via iron acyl complexes

β-Hydroxy acyl ligands bound to (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(PPh₃) are stereoselectively alkylated on the α-carbon to give after decomplexation erythro-β-hydroxy carboxylic acids.     

Metal-containing ditopic receptors for molecular recognition of diammonium cations

Two new ditopic receptors for α,ω-alkanediyldiammonium cations based on a tetraazamacrocyclic (cyclidene) nickel(II) complex bearing two crown-ether residues were synthesized. The studies of the host-guest interaction between the receptors and a series of α,ω-diammonium salts by NMR titration in acetonitrile-d₃ showed that 1:1 complexes are formed with K_assoc∼10³-10⁵ M⁻¹. Receptor 1 with benzo-15-crown-5 arms showed substantial selectivity in binding of trimethylene- and tetramethylenediammonium dications, and 1-2 orders of magnitude weaker binding of shorter (C₂) or longer (C₅ and C₆) diammonium cations. Receptor 2 with benzo-18-crown-6 arms showed higher affinity to all studied diammonium cations, but the recognition of the length of α,ω-diammonium cations was less pronounced.     

The stereospecificity at the iron center of the decarbonylation of an ironacetyl complex

The dinuclear complex [(h⁵-1-CH₃-3-C₆H₅C₅H₃)Fe(CO)₂]₂ was synthesized by reaction of Fe₂(CO)9 with 1-methyl-3-phenylcyclopentadiene; it was converted to (h⁵-1-CH₃-3-C₆H₅C₅H₃)Fe(CO)₂CH₃ by reduction with sodium amalgam and addition of CH₃l, and thence to (h⁵-1-CH₃-3-C₆H₅C₅H₃)Fe(CO)[P(C₆H₅)₃] (COCH₃) (I) by reaction with P(C₆H₅)₃. The acetyl I was separated into two diastereomerically related pairs of enantiomers. Ia and Ib, by a combination of column chromatography on alumina and crystallization from benzene/pentane. The photochemical decarbonylation of Ia and Ib in benzene or THF solution was examined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. This reaction proceeds with high stereospecificity (>84% retention or inversion) at the iron center to yield (h⁵-1-CH₃-3-C₆H₈C₅H₃)Fe(CO)[P(C₆H₅)₃]CH₃(II), enriched in the diastereomerically related pairs of enantiomers, IIa and IIb, respectively. Since IIa and IIb epimerize under the photolytic conditions of decarbonylation, the actual stereospecificity of the conversion of I to II is higher than 84%, and likely 100%. This is supported by the data from kinetic studies of the decarbonylation of I and the epimerization of II, carried out under identical photolytic conditions. The implications of the foregoing results to the mechanism of the decarbonylation are considered. Also described herein is the synthesis of other complexes with two asymmetric centers of the general formula (h⁵-cyclopentadienyl)Fe(CO)(L)(COR) and (h⁵-cyclopentadienyl)Fe(CO)(L)R that contain either an unsymmetrically substituted h⁵-cyclopentadienyl ring or a chiral tertiary phosphine.     

Synthesis and characterization of carbene derivatives of Th@C3v(8)-C82 and U@C2v(9)-C82: exceptional chemical properties induced by strong actinide–carbon cage interaction

Chemical functionalization of endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) is essential for the application of these novel carbon materials. Actinide EMFs, a new EMF family member, have presented unique molecular and electronic structures but their chemical properties remain unexplored. Here, for the first time, we report the chemical functionalization of actinide EMFs, in which the photochemical reaction of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂ and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ with 2-adamantane-2,3′-[3H]-diazirine (AdN₂, 1) was systematically investigated. The combined HPLC and MALDI-TOF analyses show that carbene addition by photochemical reaction afforded three isomers of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad and four isomers of U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad (Ad = adamantylidene), presenting notably higher reactivity than their lanthanide analogs. Among these novel EMF derivatives, Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(I, II, III) and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(I, II, III) were successfully isolated and were characterized by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy. In particular, the molecular structures of first actinide fullerene derivatives, Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(I) and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(I), were unambiguously determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography, both of which show a [6,6]-open cage structure. In addition, isomerization of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(II), Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(III), U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(II) and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(III) was observed at room temperature. Computational studies suggest that the attached carbon atoms on the cages of both Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(I) and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(I) have the largest negative charges, thus facilitating the electrophilic attack. Furthermore, it reveals that, compared to their lanthanide analogs, Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂ and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ have much closer metal–cage distance, increased metal-to-cage charge transfer, and strong metal–cage interactions stemming from the significant contribution of extended Th-5f and U-5f orbitals to the occupied molecular orbitals, all of which give rise to their unusual high reactivity. This study provides first insights into the exceptional chemical properties of actinide endohedral fullerenes, which pave ways for the future functionalization and application of these novel EMF compounds.

Photochemical reaction of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂ and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ with 2-adamantane-2,3′-[3H]-diazirine (AdN₂, 1) afforded three isomers of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad and four isomers of U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad (Ad = adamantylidene), respectively.     

Quantum-chemical study of the effect of butadiene interaction with anionic active sites on the polymer microstructure

The electronic and geometric structure of the models for prereaction complexes of the anionic active sites for polymerization of butadiene have been calculated using a modified CNDO method: C₄H₄Li-cis-C₄H₆(I), C₄H₇Li-trans-C₄H₆(II), (C₄H₇Li)₂-cis-C₄H₆(III) and (C₄H₇Li)₂-trans-C₄H₆. The configuration of complexes I and II resulting from the total energy minimization points to the preferential C₄H₆ attack on the α-C atom of the monomeric active site (AS) leading to 1,4-units in polybutadiene. A more pronounced complexation effect observed with I as compared to II was taken into account when interpreting data on the preferential formation of cis-1,4-structure within macromolecules. The structure of models III and IV and also a decrease in the difference of the energy of interaction with C₄H₆ incorporated in these models, as compared to models I and II, indicate a decrease in the 1,4-cis-units content with increasing initiator concentration. Based on results of the present study, an evaluation was also made of the effect of the interaction between the living macromolecule aggregates and diene on the dissociation processes.     

Cationic palladium(II) complexes of ferrocenylphosphines as homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts for olefins

Cationic palladium(II) complexes of ferrocenylphosphines [(L-L′)Pd(S)₂][ClO₄]₂ ((L-L′) = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄P (C₆H₅)₂)₂ 1, or Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵C₅H₃(CHMeNMe₂)P(C₆H₅)₂-1,2) 2a: S=pyridine or dimethylformamide) were prepared and characterized. The derivatives of 2a are effective catalysts for the hydrogenation of simple olefins at 30°C (1 atm H₂). The rate of reduction of styrene depends on the substrate concentration, catalyst concentration and the solvent, and is only slightly inhibited (16%) by the addition of mercury. These observations are conistent with a homogeneous catalytic system.     

Mechanism of the thermal decomposition of (η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2(η1-acenaphthenyl)

The complexes (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(η¹-acenaphthenyl) (I), (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂ (η¹-trans-β-deuterioacenaphthenyl) (II), and (η-C₅D₅)Fe(CO)₂, (η¹-acenaphthenyl) (XIII) have been prepared and their thermal decomposition studied in vacuo and in refluxing toluene. All three complexes decompose to produce mixtures of acenaphthene (VII), acenaphthylene (VIII), and [C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂]₂ (VI). Biacenaphthenyl (IX) is also obtained from the thermolysis of I in toluene. The formation of alkene VIII, and, to a lesser extent, alkane VII is suppressed by external CO. Thermolysis of I in toluene-d₈ and of II in vacuo and in toluene produces deuterium-enriched VII. The acenaphthene generated from the decomposition of XIII also contains deuterium. The above observations are accomodated by a mechanistic scheme involving competing β-elimination, ironcarbon bond homolysis to produce the acenaphthenyl radical, and CpH abstraction by an undetermined pathway.     

The hapticity of octafluorocyclooctatetraene in its first-row mononuclear transition metal carbonyl complexes: effect of perfluorination

The iron tricarbonyl complex of octafluorocyclooctatetraene was synthesized by Hughes and co-workers and shown by X-ray crystallography to have a trihapto–monohapto structure (η^3,1-C₈F₈)Fe(CO)₃ in contrast to the tetrahapto structure (η⁴-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃ formed by the non-fluorinated cyclooctatetraene. This difference has stimulated a comprehensive density functional theoretical study of the octafluorocyclooctatetraene metal carbonyl complexes (C₈F₈)M(CO) _n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1 for M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, and Fe; n = 3, 2, 1 for M = Co, Ni) for comparison with their hydrogen analogues (C₈H₈)M(CO) _n . In most such systems, the substitution of fluorine for hydrogen leads to relatively small changes in the preferred structures. However, for the iron carbonyl derivatives (C₈X₈)Fe(CO)₃ (X = H, F), the difference observed experimentally has been confirmed by theory with (η^3,1-C₈F₈)Fe(CO)₃ and (η⁴-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃ being the lowest energy structures by 4 and 14 kcal/mol, respectively. The ligand exchange reactions C₈H₈ + (C₈F₈)M(CO) _n  → C₈F₈ + (C₈H₈)M(CO) _n are predicted to be exothermic for almost all of the systems considered, with the (η^3,1-C₈X₈)Fe(CO)₃ system being the main exception. This suggests that the C₈F₈ ligand generally bonds more weakly to transition metals than the C₈H₈ ligand in accord with the electron-withdrawing effect of the ligand fluorine atoms.     

Rules governing vapor-phase extraction of carboxylic acids and phenols from aqueous solutions

The influence of the molecular structure of the components to be extracted and the type of the extractant used on the effectiveness of vapor-phase extraction from water was studied for the example of low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids C₂-C₆ and phenols. Extraction parameters were found to depend on the length of the analyte molecule and its polarity. The experimental data and correlations observed substantiated the validity of the suggested mechanism of vapor-phase extraction. Changes in the Gibbs energy of extraction equilibrium as the length of the analyte molecule (in the homologous series of organic acids C₂-C₆) and molecule polarity (for the example of cresol isomers) increased were evaluated.     

Intermediates in the intramolecular ligand transfer reactions of h5-C5H5Fe(CO)2R complexes

Dissolution of h⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂R (I) (R = cyclohexyl or cyclohexylmethyl) in DMSO leads to the formation of a solvent coordinated acyl complex, h⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)(COR)(DMSO) (II). Treatment of this complex with triphenylphosphine leads to its conversion to h⁵-C₅H₅Fe(COR)(PPh₃) (III). Rates for the reaction I ? and II → III have been determined. A comparison of the rates of the reaction I → III in eight solvents shows no specific rate acceleration in DMSO and no correlation with solvent donicity. The results are in accord with a two step mechanism in which the first intermediate is the coordiantively-unsaturated species h⁵-C₅H₅Fe(COR)(CO). The small spread in rates for solvents of widely different dielectric constants suggests little charge separation in the transition state for this step.     

The hapticity of cyclooctatetraene in its first row mononuclear transition metal carbonyl complexes: Several examples of octahapto coordination

The two cyclooctatetraene metal carbonyls that have been synthesized are the tetrahapto derivative (η⁴-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃ and the hexahapto derivative (η⁶-C₈H₈)Cr(CO)₃ using the reactions of cyclooctatetraene with Fe(CO)₅ and with fac-(CH₃CN)₃Cr(CO)₃, respectively. Related C₈H₈M(CO)_n (M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni; n = 4, 3, 2, 1) species have now been investigated by density functional theory in order to explore the scope of cyclooctatetraene metal carbonyl chemistry. In this connection, the existence of octahapto (η⁸-C₈H₈)M(CO)_n species is predicted as long as the central metal M does not exceed the 18-electron configuration by receiving eight electrons from the η⁸-C₈H₈ ring. Thus the lowest energy structures (η⁸-C₈H₈)Ti(CO)_n (n = 3, 2, 1), (η⁸-C₈H₈)M(CO)_n (M = V, Cr; n = 2, 1), and (η⁸-C₈H₈)Mn(CO) all have octahapto η⁸-C₈H₈ rings. An exception is (η⁶-C₈H₈)Fe(CO), with a hexahapto η⁶-C₈H₈ ring and thus only a 16-electron configuration for the iron atom. Hexahapto (η⁶-C₈H₈)M(CO)_n structures are predicted for the known (η⁶-C₈H₈)Cr(CO)₃ as well as the unknown (η⁶-C₈H₈)Ti(CO)₄, (η⁶-C₈H₈)V(CO)₃, (η⁶-C₈H₈)Mn(CO)₂, and (η⁶-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₂ with 18, 18, 17, 17, and 18 electron configurations, respectively, for the central metal atoms. There are two types of tetrahapto C₈H₈M(CO)_n complexes. In the 1,2,3,4-tetrahapto (η⁴-C₈H₈)M(CO)_n complexes two adjacent CC double bonds, forming a 1,3-diene unit similar to butadiene, are bonded to the metal atom. In the 1,2,5,6-tetrahapto (η^2,2-C₈H₈)M(CO)₃ derivatives two non-adjacent CC double bonds of the C₈H₈ ring are bonded to the metal atom. The known (η⁴-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃ is a 1,2,3,4-tetrahapto complex. The unknown isomeric 1,2,5,6-tetrahapto complex (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃ is predicted to lie ∼15 kcal/mol above (η⁴-C₈H₈)Fe(CO)₃. The related 1,2,5,6-tetrahapto complexes (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Cr(CO)₄, (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Mn(CO)₄, [(η^2,2-C₈H₈)Mn(CO)₃]⁻, (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Co(CO)₂, and (η^2,2-C₈H₈)Ni(CO)₂ are all predicted to be low-energy structures.