Alkylations of Tricarbonylcyclohexadienyliron Salts with Mixed Alkylcuprate Reagents

Abstract

A study of the reaction between mixed alkylcuprate reagents [Li(R¹R²Cu)] with tricarbonylcyclohexadienylironsalts (1) has shown that, when R² = SPh, alkylation of (1) may be achieved in moderate to good yields for R¹ = Prⁱ, Bu and Bu^t. Only minor yields are obtained for R¹ = Me and CH₂=CH, the main reaction being thiophenoxylation, but for these substituents alkylation is achieved with the dialkylcuprate. The regioselectivity of the reaction has been studied for a number of cuprate reagents.