Flash Communication: (Ph3P)2N2Aza-Wittig Reagent for Metal Carbonyls

Abstract

Cr(CO)6, Mo(CO)6, W(CO)6, and Fe(CO)5 undergo an aza-Wittig reaction with triphenylphosphinazine [(Ph3P)2N2]. These reactions address exclusively one CO ligand, yielding (isocyanoimino)triphenylphosphorane metal complexes [(CO)xMCN2(PPh3)] (1: M = Cr, x = 5; 2: M = Mo, x = 5; 3: M = W, x = 5, 4: M = Fe, x = 4). We present selective CO ligand deoxygenation at a metal center by an aza-Wittig reagent in the broad context of metallaheterocumulene fragmentation for carbon atom transfer.