Intramolecular C-C Bond Coupling of Nitriles to a Diimine Ligand in Group 7 Metal Tricarbonyl Complexes.

Dissolution of M(CO)3(Br)(L(Ar)) [L(Ar) = (2,6-Cl2-C6H3-NCMe)2CH2] in either acetonitrile [M = Mn, Re] or benzonitrile (M = Re) results in C-C coupling of the nitrile to the diimine ligand. When reacted with acetonitrile, the intermediate adduct [M(CO)3(NCCH3)(L(Ar))]Br forms and undergoes an intramolecular C-C coupling reaction between the nitrile carbon and the methylene carbon of the β-diimine ligand.