Alkynes (RC
CR') insert into the metal-isocyanide bond of [Fe
2(CNMe)(CO)
3(Cp)
2] (
1), under UVirradiation, affording the complexes [Fe
2{
-
1:
3-C(R)C(R')C=N(Me)}(
-CO)(CO)(Cp)
2] (R = R'= Ph,
2a; R = R' = Me,
2b; R = R' = Et,
2c; R = Ph, R' = H,
2d; R = Tol, R' = H,
2e; R = SiMe
3, R' =H,
2f; R = Me, R' = H,
2g; R = CH
2OH, R' = H,
2h; Tol = 4-MeC
6H
4), with displacement of one COligand. Compounds
2b,
c exist as a mixture of cis and trans isomers (with reference to the mutual Cpposition), whereas
2a,
d-
h exclusively have the cis geometry. The insertion of terminal alkynes isregioselective, since C-C bond formation occurs selectively between the isocyanide and the nonsubstitutedcarbon of HC
CR. Compound
1 reacts with 2 equiv of HC
CCO
2Me under UV irradiation, affording[Fe
2{
-
2:
4-C(OH)C(CO
2Me)C(H)CN(Me)(CH=CHCO
2Me}(CO)(Cp)
2] (
4). Complexes
2a,
c undergoelectrophilic addition at the N atom by treatment with HSO
3CF
3, allyl iodide (ICH
2CH=CH
2), and methylchloroformate (ClCOOMe), affording the corresponding vinyliminium cations [Fe
2{
-
1:
3-C(R)=C(R)C=N(Me)(E)}(
-CO)(CO)(Cp)
2]
+ (R = Ph, E = H,
5a; R = Et, E = H,
5b; R = Ph, E = CH
2CH=CH
2,
6; R = Ph, E = CO
2Me,
7). The reactions of
6 with NaBH
4 and NBu
4CN afford [Fe
2{
-
1:
3-C(Ph)C(Ph)=C(H)N(Me)(CH
2CH=CH
2)}(
-CO)(CO)(Cp)
2] (
8) and [Fe
2{
-
1:
3-C(Ph)C(Ph)C(CN)N(Me)(CH
2CH=CH
2)}(
-CO)(CO)(Cp)
2] (
9), respectively. The molecular structures of
cis-
2c, [Fe
2{
-
1:
3-C(Et)=C(Et)C=N(Me)(Xyl)}(
-CO)(CO)(Cp)
2][SO
3CF
3] (
3),
4, and
5a have been established by X-raydiffraction studies.