Bicymantrenyl, (CO)(3)MnC5H4C5H4Mn(CO)(3), can be metallated with buty
llithium in THF at -60 degrees C into Cp rings. Quenching with electro
philes (D2O, I-2, CO2, and DMF) results in the formation of the corres
ponding bicymantrenyl derivatives with substituents predominantly at b
eta-positions.