ACTIVATION OF METHANOL IN THE REACTION OF [FE-3(CO)(12)] WITH 1-PHENYLPROP-2-YN-1-OL - CRYSTAL-STRUCTURES OF AND CHEMICAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN [FE-3(CO)(9)(MU-CO)((C=C=C(H)PH)] AND [FE-2(CO)(6)(PH(H)CCCHC(OME)O)]

The complexes [Fe-3(CO)(9)(mu-CO){C=C=C(H)Ph}] and [Fe-2(CO)(6){Ph(H)C CCHC(OMe)O}] have been obtained in low yields from reaction of 1-pheny lprop-2-yn-1-ol with [Fe-3(CO)(12)] ('stabilized' with methanol), toge ther with other oily derivatives, dimcult to characterize. Their solid -state structures have been determined using X-ray diffraction techniq ues. The first reacts with excess of methanol to form the second. Howe ver, the yields of the latter are always low irrespective of the amoun t of methanoI used. Experiments showed that this reaction also occurs on the TLC plates used for the chromatographic separation of the compl exes. This behaviour is discussed.