Derivatives of formula (arene)M(CO)2(SiCl3) (M = Mn, Re) have been prepared in moderate to good yield by the reaction of M(CO)5(SiCl3) and the appropriate arene (with heptane in those cases where the arene was a solid) in an evacuated sealed tube at 230–260 °C for 12–24 h, depending on the arene and the metal. Carefully purified reagents were necessary to obtain satisfactory yields. The (η6-1,4-C6H4tBu2)M(CO)2(SiCl3) complexes in solution exhibit free rotation of the arene ring about the metal atom to −120 °C as ascertained by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The manganese compound did show the onset of decoalescence of two of the signals due to the arene ligand in the 13C1H} NMR spectrum in CD2Cl2, solution below −90 °C. This, however, is interpreted in terms of restricted rotation of the tert-butyl substituent rather than restricted rotation of the arene ring. Keywords: arene, manganese, rhenium, restricted rotation.