Stoichiometric vs Catalytic MeLi Reaction with the Mixture of (ẽ5‐C5H5)Fe(CO)2l and P(OR)3: Nucleophilic Methylation vs Arbuzov‐Like Dealkylation

The reaction of stoichiometric MeLi with the 1:1 mixture of (?⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂I/P(OR)₃ (R = Me, Et, and Ph) at ?78°C changes the bonding mode between metal and ring from (?⁵‐C₅H₅) to (?⁴‐exo‐MeC₅H₅) and the oxidation state of metal from Fe(II) to Fe(O), the novel complexes (?⁴‐exo‐MeC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂P(C)R)₃ being obtained in 45‐57% yields. The reaction of trace MeLi with the 1:1 mixture of (?⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂I/P(OMe)₃ at ?78°C results in 70% yield of the phosphonate complex (?⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂P(O)(OMe)₂ which is an Arbuzov‐like dealkylation product from the cationic intermediate (?⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂P(OMe)₃⁺] and the iodide. The amines could assist the Arbuzov‐like dealkylation of (?⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂P(OMe)₃⁺] PF₆^?] where iron‐carbamoyl intermediates are likely involved in the case of primary amines.