SYNTHESIS OF AN EXTENSIVE SERIES OF MANGANESE PENTACARBONYL ALKYL ANDACYL COMPOUNDS - CARBONYLATION AND DECARBONYLATION STUDIES ON [MN(R)(CO)(5)] AND [MN(COR)(CO)(5)]

The synthesis and characterization of the compounds [Mn(COR)(CO)(5)] ( R = CH3 to n-C9H19, n-C11H23, n-C13H27, n-C15H31, n-C17H35) and [Mn(R) (CO)(5)] (R = CH3 to n-C18H37) are reported. The majority of these com pounds are new. Apart from the ethyl-, n-propyl-, and n-butylmanganese pentacarbonyls, the majority of the alkyl compounds are relatively st able to air and heat. A mechanism is proposed for the decomposition of the ethyl and n-propyl compounds. Kinetic studies have been carried o ut on the reactions [Mn(COR)(CO)(5)] --> [Mn(R)(CO)(5)] + CO and [Mn(R )(CO)(5)] + PPh(3) --> cis-[Mn(COR)(CO)(4)(PPh(3))], and it is found t hat the rates of both the carbonylation and decarbonylation reactions are dependent on the group R.