Photochemistry of bridged disilyldiiron complexes (SiMe2)[(η5-C5H4)Fe(CO)2SiMe2SiMe2R]2, R=Me, Ph

Photochemical irradiation of the new bimetallic disilyliron complexes (SiMe2)[(η5-C5H4)Fe(CO)2SiMe2SiMe2R]2, R=Me, Ph, results in silylene elimination chemistry, as observed for the mono-metallic analogs, resulting in the formation of complexes (SiMe2)[(η5-C5H4)Fe(CO)2SiMe2R]2. The intermediate silyl(silylene) complexes can be intercepted with HMPA. Apart from a very reactive minor product that we have been unable to identify at this time, the proximity of the two transition metal centers has little impact upon the observed chemistry.