Methyl transfer reactions to tetracarbonylferrate(2-): rate and mechanistic studies

Reactions of Na[sub 2]Fe(CO)[sub 4] with MeMn(CO)[sub 5] and MeMoCp(CO)[sub 3] result in transfer of the methyl group and formation of MeFe(CO)[sub 4][sup [minus]] and Mn(CO)[sub 5][sup [minus]] or CpMo(CO)[sub 3][sup [minus]], respectively. These reactions are first order in [Fe(CO)[sub 4][sup [minus]]] and in the concentration of methyl complex. The reaction of Na[sub 2]Fe(CO)[sub 4] with MeRe(CO)[sub 5] is quite slow and produces a mixture of products. No reaction is observed between Na[sub 2]Fe(CO)[sub 4] and MeFeCp(CO)[sub 2]. 24 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.