THE SYNTHESIS AND REACTIONS OF MN AND RE FORMYL COMPLEXES, FAC-(P-P)M(CO)3CHO - THE X-RAY STRUCTURE OF FAC-(DPPP)MN(CO)3CH2OCH3

Treatment of the salts fac-[(P-P)M(CO)4][BF4] (M = Mn, Re; P-P = dppe, dppp) with NaBH4 gives the corresponding formyl complexes, fac-(P-P)M (CO)3CHO in excellent yield. Solutions of these formyls undergo sponta neous loss of CO to give the corresponding hydrides, fac-(P-P)M(CO)3H. On treatment with methyl triflate or protic acids the formyls undergo expected disproportionation reactions; the X-ray crystal structure de termination of one of the products, fac-(dppp)Mn(CO)3CH2OCH3, is repor ted.