A facile reaction of bibenzyl trisulfide with [(η5-C5H5)Cr(CO)3]2: formation of a thiolato-bridged dichromium complex of [CpCr(CO)2(SBz)]2 (Bz = PhCH2-)

The facile reaction of [CpCr(CO)3]2 (Cp = η5-C5H5) (1) with Bz2S3 was postulated to proceed via a 17-electron radical pathway at ambient temperature to give [CpCr(CO)2]2S (3) and [CpCr(CO)2(SBz)]2 (4) as primary products. Thermolytic studies at 80 °C showed the degradation of 4-3 and [CpCr(SBz)]2S (5). Further prolonged thermolysis of 3-5 eventually gave Cp4Cr4S4 (6).