Synthesis and properties of Fischer carbene complexes of N,N-dimethylaniline and anisole π-coordinated to chromium tricarbonyl

Novel isomeric N,N-dimethylaniline and anisole monocarbene complexes and carbene-heteroarene chelates, π-bonded to Cr(CO)3, are isolated, including a unique heterotrimetallic biscarbene complex with a σ-,σ-,π-coordination mode of the arene ligand. HOMO location and electron transfer processes are investigated through electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry techniques and their assignment is supported by DFT calculations and by comparing the oxidation and reduction potentials of the individual metal entities.165