Synthetic studies with iron carbonyl complexes. Fragmentation of β-alcoholic tricarbonyl(diene)iron(0) complexes in the mass spectrometer; use to distinguish positional isomers

• Published in: Journal of organometallic chemistry Vol. 197; no. 1; pp. 77 - 84
• Main Authors: Johnson, Brian F.G., Lewis, Jack, Parker, David G., Stephenson, G.Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.1980
• ISSN: 0022-328X; 1872-8561
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-328X(00)84457-5

Comparison is made between the mass spectra of two isomeric tricarbonyl(cyclohexadiene)iron(0) complexes bearing 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropyl side-chains at either the 5- exo- or the 2-position. Both demonstrate a McLafferty rearrangement mechanism for an arene fragment bearing a coordinated atom of iron, but only the former shows a major competing pathway, since this involves a methylene group α to the point of attachment of the side-chain. The spectra of a variety of related complexes are discussed and a 1,3-shift of the residual C 6H 5Fe group is proposed.