Chemistry of μ-hydridobis[pentacarbonylchromium(0)] species. Part III. Redox reactions with mercury(II) compounds and iodine

Summary [Cr₂(CO)₁₀(-H)]^– undergoes ready hydride substitution on reaction with HgX₂ (X = Cl, Br, I or SCN) or with iodine in acetone, yielding [Cr₂(CO)₁₀(-X)]^– complex species which can be converted quantitatively into [Cr(CO)₅X]^– anions by reactions conducted in the presence of an excess of X^–.LCr(CO)₅ and (L-L)Cr(CO)₄ complexes (L = pyridine; L-L = 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2-bipyridine) are easily prepared by reactions performed in the presence of the L or L-L ligand, respectively.