The fluxionality and crystal structures of [Fe3(CO)10L2] (L2 = dppm, (Ph2P)2NH, {(EtO)2P}2O) and [Fe3(CO)9(dppm){P(OMe)3}]
The crystal structures of [Fe3(CO)10L2] (L2 = dppm, (Ph2P)2NH, {(EtO)2P}2O) and [Fe3(CO)9(dppm){P(OMe)3}] (dppm = (Ph2P)2CH2) have been determined. [Fe3(CO)10L2] (L2 = dppm, (Ph2P)2NH, {(EtO)2P}2O) adopt a stereochemistry in the crystal with the bidentate ligand across an unbridged Fe-Fe edge, resulting in one phosphorus ligand being unusually in the axial position. In contrast, [Fe3(CO)9(dppm){P(OMe)3}] adopts a stereochemistry in the crystal with the bidentate ligand across the bridged Fe-Fe edge. The structures of the [Fe3(CO)10L2] (L2 = dppm, (Ph2P)2NH, {(EtO)2P}2O) support the Mann concerted bridge - opening bridge - closing mechanism of carbonyl fluxionality rather than the Johnson libration mechanism. The fluxionality of the compounds in the 13C NMR spectra is explained by a combination of the concerted bridge - opening bridge - closing, merry-go-round, and trigonal twist mechanisms, and ΔG values were determined.Key words: iron carbonyls, crystal structures, 13C NMR spectroscopy, fluxionality, mechanisms.