SYNTHESIS AND REACTIVITY OF THE PENTAMETHYLCYCLOPENTADIENYL IRON ACETYL COMPLE[(ETA(5)-C(5)ME(5))FE(CO)(PPH(3))COME]

[RS]-[(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Fe(CO)(PPh(3))COMe] (1) was synthesised from [ (eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Fe(CO)(2)](2) (3) in three steps with an overall yie ld of 28%. The lithium enolate from 1 was alkylated with methyl iodide and benzyl bromide to give 11 and 12 in 94 and 97% yields respectivel y. The corresponding diethylaluminium enolate derived from 1 reacted w ith high stereoselectivity with benzaldehyde whereas no selectivity wa s observed with the lithium enolate. A single crystal X-ray structure analysis of )-[(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Fe(CO)(PPh(3))COCH(2)CH(2)Ph] (12) is reported.