THE REACTIVITY OF [2.2.2]PARACYCLOPHANE TOWARDS CR(CO)(6) - EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The reactivity of [2.2.2]paracyclophane (C24H24) towards hexacarbonylc hromium has been examined and the rates of reaction for the formation of mono-, bis- and tris-complexes established. The structures of [Cr(C O)(3)(eta-C24H24)] and [{Cr(CO)(3)}(2)(eta-C24H24)] have been establis hed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These experimental observatio ns have been interpreted using approximate density functional molecula r orbital calculations.