Selective Formation and Unusual Reactivity of Tetraarsabicyclo[1.1.0]butane Complexes

The selective formation of the dinuclear butterfly complexes [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^1:1‐E₄)] (E=P ( 1 a ), As ( 1 b )) and [{Cp*Cr(CO)₃}₂(μ,η^1:1‐E₄)] (E=P ( 2 a ), As ( 2 b )) as new representatives of this rare class of compounds was found by reaction of E₄ with the corresponding dimeric carbonyl complexes. Complexes 1 b and 2 b are the first As₄ butterfly compounds with a bridging coordination mode. Moreover, first studies regarding the reactivity of 1 b and 2 b are presented, revealing the formation of the unprecedented As₈ cuneane complexes [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂{Cp′′′Fe(CO)}₂(μ₄,η^1:1:2:2‐As₈)] ( 3 b ) and [{Cp*Cr(CO)₃}₄(μ₄,η^1:1:1:1‐As₈)] ( 4 ). The compounds are fully characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by X‐ray structure analysis. In addition, DFT calculations give insight into the transformation pathway from the E₄ butterfly to the corresponding cuneane structural motif.