Bis(triphenylphosphine)iron tricarbonyl explained

Tricarbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)iron(0) is a coordination complex with the formula Fe(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂ (Ph = C₆H₅). A yellow solid, this complex is derived from iron pentacarbonyl by replacement of two carbonyl ligands by triphenylphosphine (PPh₃).

Synthesis and reactions

The title complex can be prepared by reaction of triiron dodecacarbonyl with excess triphenylphosphine:^[1]

(Triphenylphosphine)iron tetracarbonyl is an intermediate in the synthesis of this compound. The title complex can also be produced more efficiently by borohydride-catalyzed substitution of iron pentacarbonyl.^{[2] [3]}

Protonation gives the ferrous hydride:^[4]

Both the mono- and bis(triphenylphosphine) complexes were originally described by Walter Reppe.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: 10.1002/9780470132395.ch49. Iron Carbonyl Complexes of Triphenylphosphine, Triphenylarsine, and Triphenylstibine . 1966 . Clifford . A. F. . Mukherjee . A. K.. Inorganic Syntheses . 185–191 . VIII. 9780470131671 .
2. Book: Therien. M. J.. Trogler. W. C.. Bis(Phosphine) Derivatives of Iron Pentacarbonyl and Tetracarbonyl (Tri- tert -Butylphosphine)Iron(O) . . 1990 . 28 . 173–9 . 10.1002/9780470132593.ch45. 9780471526193.
3. 10.1002/9780470132623.ch31. Inorganic Syntheses. Keiter. Richard L.. Keiter. Ellen A.. Boecker. Carol A.. Miller. David R.. Hecker. Karl H.. Tricarbonylbis(Phosphine)Iron(0) Complexes . 210–214. 31. 1997. 9780470132623.
4. 10.1021/ja00024a026. Heats of Protonation of Transition-Metal Complexes: The Effect of Phosphine Basicity on Metal Basicity in CpIr(CO)(PR₃) and Fe(CO)₃(PR₃)₂. 1991. Sowa. John R.. Zanotti. Valerio. Facchin. Giacomo. Robert Angelici. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 113. 24. 9185–9192.
5. Walter. Reppe. Walter Joachim. Schweckendiek. 10.1002/jlac.19485600104. Cyclisierende Polymerisation von Acetylen. III Benzol, Benzolderivate und hydroaromatische Verbindungen. Justus Liebigs Annalen der Chemie. 1948. 560. 104–116.