Iron(II) complexes of the general formula [Fe{BH3(CN)}2{P(OR)3}4](R = Me or Et) have been prepared both metathetically, by the reaction of FeCl2.2H2O with Na[BH3(CN)] and the appropriate phosphite, in either methanol or acetonitrile, or electrochemically by the anodic dissolution of iron in acetonitrile solutions of the phosphite and Na[BH3(CN)]. The metathetical reactions carried out in methanol give the trans isomers only, as shown by the 1H n.m.r., 31P-{1H} n.m.r., and i.r. spectra of the products. In acetonitrile, the metathetical reactions yield mixtures of isomers in the cis: trans ratio of ca. 30 : 70, as shown by 1H n.m.r. and i.r. spectra, supported by thin-layer chromatographic analysis. For R = Me, the electrochemical reaction in acetonitrile yields a mixture containing ca. 65% of the cis isomer. Where R = Et however, the cis content is ca. 30%. These observations are discussed.
Abstract Die Reaktion von Fe(II)‐chloriddihydrat mit überschüssigem Na‐cyanotrihydridoborat und Trialkylphosphit in Methanol führt ausschließlich zu den trans‐Isomeren (I) der Titelkomplexe, während die analoge Reaktion in Acetonitril ein cis/trans‐Isomerengemisch (II) und (I) von 30 : 70 liefert.
The electrolysis of an acetonitrile solution of Na[BH3(CN)] at an iron electrode yields [Fe{BH3(CN)}2(NCCH3)4], but at molybdenum or vanadium anodes Na[BH3(CN)] is oxidised to Na[BH3(CN)BH2(CN)]. Chemical oxidation of Na[BH3(CN)] using either Hg2Cl2 or HgCl2 also gives Na[BH3(CN)BH2(CN)], together with oligomeric BH2(CN) in the case of HgCl2.