The preparation and reactions with nucleophiles of tricarbonyl[1-(methoxycarbonyl)cycloheptadienylium]iron hexafluorophosphate (7) and tricarbonyl[3-(methoxycarbonyl)cycloheptadienylium]iron hexafluorophosphate (12) were studied. Unusual regioselectivity was observed for the addition of dimethyl malonate enolate to these complexes, viz., exclusively C(2) addition to 7 and predominantly C(2) addition to 12, giving enediyl complexes. Replacement of CO ligand with triphenylphosphine does not affect this regioselectivity. Attempts to rationalize these observations using C-13 NMR spectroscopy and extended Huckel calculations met with limited success. The preparation and reactions of tricarbonyl(1-methylcycloheptadienylium)iron hexafluorophosphate (31) are described. Addition of malonate to 31 proceeds with exclusive formation of the substituted cycloheptadiene complex, thus confirming the marked effect of the ester substituent on the reactivity of complexes 7 and 12.
The preparation and reactions with nucleophiles of tricarbonyl[1-(methoxycarbonyl)cycloheptadienylium]iron hexafluorophosphate (7) and tricarbonyl[3-(methoxycarbonyl)cycloheptadienylium]iron hexafluorophosphate (12) were studied. Unusual regioselectivity was observed for the addition of dimethyl malonate enolate to these complexes, viz., exclusively C(2) addition to 7 and predominantly C(2) addition to 12, giving enediyl complexes. Replacement of CO ligand with triphenylphosphine does not affect this regioselectivity. Attempts to rationalize these observations using C-13 NMR spectroscopy and extended Huckel calculations met with limited success. The preparation and reactions of tricarbonyl(1-methylcycloheptadienylium)iron hexafluorophosphate (31) are described. Addition of malonate to 31 proceeds with exclusive formation of the substituted cycloheptadiene complex, thus confirming the marked effect of the ester substituent on the reactivity of complexes 7 and 12.