THE REACTION OF CPFE(CO)(2)X (X=CL, BR, I) WITH PHOSPHINES CATALYZED BY [CPFE(CO)(2)](2) - EVIDENCE FOR AN ELECTRON-TRANSFER CHAIN CATALYSIS MECHANISM

The catalytic substitution of phosphines for halide on CpFe(CO)(2)X (X = Cl, Br, I) has been shown to proceed through an electron transfer c hain catalysis mechanism. The reaction may be initiated by CpFe(CO)(2) (PR(3))(.) generated by photochemical or thermal cleavage of [CpFe(CO) (2)](2) or by addition of catalytic amounts of other strong reductants .