Reactivity of 1,2,3-triselena[3]ferrocenophane towards transition metal carbonyls

•Reactions of 1,2,3-triselena[3]ferrocenophane with different metal carbonyls.•Formation of bicyclic cage like structure with manganese carbonyl.•Formation of Os3Se2, Os2Se3 and Os4Se3 cluster with osmium carbonyl.

Reactions of 1,2,3-triselena[3]ferrocenophane with [Mn2(CO)10], [Fe(CO)5] and [Os3(CO)12] have been investigated under photolytic or thermolytic conditions. Clusters with contrasting structures have been isolated from these reactions: [{Fe(η-C5H4Se)2Mn(CO)3}2] (1), [Fe(η-C5H4Se)2Fe2(CO)6] (2), [Fe(η-C5H4Se)2Os3(CO)10] (3), [Fe(η-C5H4Se)2(μ2-Se)Os2(CO)6] (4) and [Fe(η-C5H4Se)2(μ3-Se)Os4(CO)11] (5). Formally, these new clusters are formed by substitution of the central selenium of 1,2,3-triselena[3]ferrocenophane by metal carbonyl units, as in 1–3 or insertion of two Os(CO)3 groups or an Os4(CO)11 unit into the Se–Se bond as in 4 and 5, respectively.

Graphical abstractClusters with contrasting structures have been isolated from the reactions of 1,2,3-triselena[3]ferrocenophane with [Mn2(CO)10], [Fe(CO)5] and [Os3(CO)12]. Formally, these new clusters are formed by substitution of the central selenium of 1,2,3-triselena[3]ferrocenophane by metal carbonyl units or by insertion of osmium carbonyl unit into the Se–Se bond.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide