Correlations of substituent parameters with the carbonyl stretching force constant in arenetricarbonylchromium complexes

Correlations are established between selected substituent parameters (σ_I,σ_P, σ_R^P,σ_P^O,σ_R^O) and the carbonyl stretching force constant, k(CO), for 28 mono and poly-substituted tricarbonylchromium-complexed arene compounds. On the basis of the statistical results it is concluded that the overall electronic substituent effect transmitted to the carbonyl groups involves both mesomeric and inductive mechanisms. Within the restricted domain, including substituent group and benzene ring, transmission proceeds largely by resonance, with a minor inductive (through-bond and field) effect operative in the same domain. Further transmission from the substituted arene ring to the chromium atom predominantly involves an inductive mechanism. This result, in support of existing literature data, suggests appreciable participation of the ring carbon σ framework in the metal—ring bond formation.