Structural and mechanistic investigations of reactive iron carbonyl intermediates relevant to migratory insertion reactions

Migratory insertion reactions involve carbon-carbon bond formation in many important industrial processes. Despite the enormous utility of these reactions, the intermediate species that are involved remain ambiguous. This work uses photochemistry as a tool to elucidate the structures and mechanisms of model intermediates relevant to these catalytic systems.;Laser flash photolysis and continuous wave photolysis were used to effect the photoreactions, and infrared and visible detection methods were utilized in the identification and interrogation of intermediates and products along the reaction pathway(s). Time-resolved infrared detection provided kinetic information which was used in the analysis of the intermediate's reactivity in various media. High pressure photolysis techniques were implemented in the determination of activation parameters to elucidate mechanisms of competing reactions.;Photodecarbonylation of CpFe(CO);The photogenerated intermediate may undergo various competing reactions, specifically, ligand substitution and methyl migration. For both CpFe(CO)C(O)CH;Infrared detection of the monocarbonyl intermediate CpFe(CO)CH;Flash photolysis of CpFe(CO)...