ChemInform Abstract: CC Linkages of Ethene with CO2 on an Iron(0) Complex - Synthesis and Crystal Structure Analysis of ((PEt3)2Fe(C2H4)2).

ChemInform Abstract

The Fe(0) title complex (II) is obtained as shown and characterized by X-ray structure analysis (space group C2/c, Z=4). By use of this unsaturated 16 electron complex, the first metal-induced syntheses of dicarboxylic acids (III) and (IV) from ethylene and the C1 building block CO₂ are achieved. By addition of ligands, the reactions can be controlled to give preferentially either the methylmalonic acid (III) or the isomeric succinic acid (IV), identified as their methyl esters in 60 or 49% yield.