Oxidative cleavage of the FeFe bond in [C5Me5Fe(CO)2]2 using ferrocinium ion: A facile route to the synthetically useful complexes [C5Me5Fe(CO)2(solvent)]+

Complexes of the type {Fp′(solvent)}⁺ PF₆^?, 3a–3d, (Fp′ = (η -C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)₂, solvent = THF, CH₃COCH₃, CH₃CN, or pyridine) are conveniently prepared by the reaction between Fp′₂ and Cp₂Fe⁺ PF₆ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) in the solvent under ambient conditions. The complexes {Fp′L}⁺ PF₆^?, 3e–3g, (L = CO, PPh₃, P(OPh)₃) are readily prepared from {Fp′THF}⁺. Fp′H is formed by treatment of 3a with NaBH₄. Fp′SC(S)NMe₂ can be prepared from 3a or 3e and NaSC(S)NMe₂.