The preparation and reactions of the azides of fac-Mn(CO)(3)(P-P)N-3. The X-ray crystal structures of fac-[Mn(CO)(3)(P-P)(OH2)]BF4, fac-Mn(CO)(3)(P-P)(NN2C(CF3)N) [(P-P)=dppe and depe], and fac-[Mn(CO)(3)(depe)(PPh3)]BF4

A simple three-step, high-yield synthesis of the titled azides from Mn-2(CO )(10) and P-P is described involving the intermediate aqua complexes, fac-[ Mn(CO)(3)(P-P)(H2O)]BF4, 3a,b. The aqua ligand is very labile; it is easily exchanged for D2O, PPh3, and NO2-. Crystal structures of the two titled aq ua complexes and fac-[Mn(CO)(3)(depe)(PPh3)]BF4, 6a, are reported. The aqua complexes react instantaneously with aqueous NaN3 to give quantitative yie lds of the corresponding covalent azides which undergo the expected 1,3-dip olar additions with CF3CN to give the corresponding tetrazoles whose crysta l structures are also reported. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.