First insertion of nitrosyl into a transition-metal cluster-carbon bond: Regioselective formation, structure, and reactions of the first alkanenitrile oxide complexes

The chemistry of NO in the presence of transition metals is receiving considerable current attention because of its role in air pollution, its potential in organic synthesis by carbon-nitrogen bond formation, and an increasing interest in its basic features. The nitrosyl cation has been reacted with many mono and polynuclear metal systems, leading mainly to substitution and reduction. Insertion into alkyl and aryl metal bonds in mono-metallic complexes is documented. The unprecedented title reaction and some preliminary chemistry of the products are reported here. 27 references, 1 figure.