THERMAL-REACTIONS OF (ETA(5)-C(5)ME(5))RE(CO)(2)X(2) (X=CL, BR AND I), WITH TRIMETHYLPHOSPHITE

Thermal reactions of dicarbonyldihalide complexes of rhenium (eta-C(5) Me(5))Re(CO)(2)X(2), X=Cl, Br and I, with P(OMe)(3) have been examined . The composition of the carbonyl containing products has been shown t o be dependent of the halide ligand present in the starting complex. F or all cases, (eta-C(5)Me(5))Re(CO)(2)[P(OMe)(3)] was a common product , being the only carbonyl derivative formed in the reaction of the dii odo complex with P(OMe)(3). For the reaction of the dichloro and dibro mo complexes, the compounds mer-cis-Re(CO)(2)Cl[P(OMe)(3)](3) and cis- (eta-C(5)Me(5))Re(CO)[P(OMe)(3)]Br-2 were the additional isolated prod ucts, respectively.