Synthesis and Structure of an Iron-Bromoalumanyl Complex with a Tri-Coordinated Aluminum Center

What is it about?

First halo-aluminum-transition metal complex with tri-coordinated aluminum center (bromoalumanyl-iron complex [Ar(Br)Al–FeCp*(CO)2]) was synthesized. Theoretical calculations showed that Br→Al π-donation was important for stability of the alumanyl complex.

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Why is it important?

Iron-bromoalumanyl complex retained tri-coordinated structure even on the presence of THF due to the bulky substituent. The Al–Fe bond lengths [2.326(2), 2.328(2) Å] is the shortest among the reported iron-alumanyl complexes. The Br→Al π-donation may enhance the σ-donating ability of alumanyl complex toward Fe moiety.