Substitution reactions of Fe and Ru complexes with liquid phosphite ligands in the absence of solvents

The substitution reactions of solid piano-stool Fe and Ru complexes have been carried out with liquid phosphite ligands that also act as ‘solvents’ for the reaction. It was observed that the solvent-free reaction occurs more slowly than the corresponding reaction in a solvent. Addition of a catalyst, [CpFe(CO)2]2, did result in a more rapid substitution reaction but again the reaction was slower in the absence of a solvent. The reagent Me3NO · 2H2O has been shown to be a good decarbonylating agent for the solvent-free reaction.