DIRECT CARBONYLATION OF INDENYL LIGATED COMPLEXES IN(CO)2FECH(OR')R (R=PH, P-OCH3PH, R'=SIME3 - R=PH, R'=CH3) UNDER MILD REACTION CONDITIONS

Direct carbonylation of (alpha-siloxybenzyl)iron complexes In(CO)2FeCH (OSiMe3)R (R = Ph, p-OCH3Ph) under mild reaction conditions (1 atm, am bient temperature) afforded the acyl compounds In(CO)2FeCOCH(OSiMe3)R in very good yield. The (alpha-methoxybenzyl)iron complex ln(CO)2FeCH( OCH3)Ph was also carbonylated in fair yield. Carbon monoxide insertion was determined to be a function of the combined effects of the indeny l (In) ligand, a phenyl group, and an alpha-siloxy/alkoxy substituent. Proof of this was demonstrated by failure of the cyclopentadienyl (Cp ) analog CP(CO)2FeCH(OSiMe3)Ph, the methyl substituted complex In(CO)2 FeCH(OSiMe3)CH3, and the benzyl complex In(CO)2FeCH2Ph to undergo carb onylation under similar reaction conditions.