{(eta(5)-C5Me5)Fe}(2)(mu-H)(2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-(H2SiBu2)-Bu-t), a versatile precursor for bimetallic active species

Reaction of {(eta (5)-C5Me5)Fe}(2)(mu -H)(4) with (BU2)-B-t- SiH2 provides the first dinuclear iron mu -silane complex, {(eta (5)-C5Me5)Fe}(2)(mu -H)( 2)(mu-eta (2):eta (2)-H-2-(SiBu2)-Bu-t), in which two Si-H sigma -bonds are coordinated to two iron centers. The coordinated Si-H bond is readily clea ved and the mu -silane ligand is eliminated to give a dinuclear iron active -species which reacts in situ with organic substrates.