The transition metal carbonyl complexes of 1,3-bis(di-R-stibino)propanes (R = Me or Ph)

The synthesis and characterisation of complexes of two distibinopropanes R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2 (R = Me or Ph) with a variety of metal carbonyls is described. These include cis-[M(CO)4{R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2}] (M = Cr, Mo or W), [{Fe(CO)4}2{μ-R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2}], [{Ni(CO)3}2{μ-R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2}], [Co2(CO)6{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}], [Co2(CO)4{Me2Sb(CH2)3SbMe2}3][Co(CO)4]2 and [Mn2(CO)8{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}]. The complexes have been characterised by analysis, mass spectrometry, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as appropriate. Comparison of the spectroscopic data on these complexes with those of other stibine complexes and with complexes of Group 16 ligands has been used to establish the relative electronic properties of the distibines.