The intriguing substitution behavior of CO with bidentate phosphine ligands induced by a gem-dialkyl effect

The reaction of the complexes [FeCpX(CO)₂] (X = Cl, Br, I) into either [FeCp(CO)(PP)]X or [FeCpX(PP)] (PP = a bidentate diphosphine ligand) is shown to be highly dependent of the phosphine ligand used. Diphosphine ligands that form stable chelates favor formation of the neutral complex, whereas diphosphine ligands that form less stable chelates favor formation of the cationic complex. Thus, with the use of dppdmp (= 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,2-dimethylpropane) the [FeCpX(PP)] complexes (X = Cl, Br, I) are selectively formed, induced by a gem-dialkyl effect. Apart from the bidentate phosphine ligand, the halide ion present in the iron complex has a significant influence on the course of the substitution reaction.