Reactions of molecular nitrogen and triethylamine with coordinatively unsaturated iron carbonyls: spin effects on reactions

Rate constants for the reactions of N2 + Fe(CO)3, N2 + Fe(CO)4, CO + Fe(CO)3(N2), N(C2H5)3 + Fe(CO)3, and N(C2H5)3 + Fe(CO)4 are reported. The magnitudes of these rate constants are compared to rate constants for other reactions of Fe(CO)3 and Fe(CO)4 in the gas phase. The aforementioned reactions involving Fe(CO)4 and Fe(CO)3(N2) are anticipated to be formally spin disallowed. Factors that could influence the magnitude of the rate constants in these systems are discussed.