IChO 1984 · Theory problem 2

Metal carbonyls and the eighteen-electron rule

Ludwig Mond discovered before the turn of this century that finely divided nickel reacts with carbon monoxide forming tetracarbonylnickel, \(\ce{Ni(CO)4}\), a colourless, very volatile liquid. The composition of \(\ce{Ni(CO)4}\) provides an example of the noble gas rule ("EAN rule").

Problems:

2.1 Use the eighteen-electron rule (noble gas rule) to predict the formula of the binary carbonyls of \(\ce{Fe(0)}\) and \(\ce{Cr(0)}\).

2.2 What composition would the eighteen-electron rule predict for the most simple binary chromium(0)-nitrosyl compound?

2.3 Explain why \(\ce{Mn(0)}\) and \(\ce{Co(0)}\) do not form so-called mononuclear carbonyl complexes of the type \(\ce{M(CO)_{x}}\) (M = metal), but rather compounds with metal-metal bonding.

2.4 Suggest structures of \(\ce{Ni(CO)4}\), \(\ce{Mn2(CO)10}\) and \(\ce{Co2(CO)8}\).

2.5 State whether \(\ce{V(CO)6}\) and the compounds mentioned in a) and d) are diamagnetic or paramagnetic.

2.6 Why are the carbon monoxide ligands bound to metals much more strongly than to boron in borane adducts (e.g. \(\ce{R3B-CO}\); R = alkyl)?

2.7 Determine the composition of the compounds labeled A - F in the following reaction scheme:

Figure 1

Hints:

a) C has the following analysis: \(\ce{C}\), 14.75 % ; \(\ce{Br}\), 48.90 % .

b) D contains 30.70 % \(\ce{Fe}\); the molecular mass is 363.8 a.m.u.

c) Excess triethylamine is used for the synthesis of F. F contains 5.782 % \(\ce{C}\) and 10.11 % \(\ce{N}\).

2.8 Why is the compound F formed in the disproportional reaction (given in g)), and not the compositional isomer \(\ce{[Fe(CO)_{f}]^{2+}[Fe(NEt3)_{e}]^{2-}}\)?

2.9 The eighteen-electron rule is also satisfied by a compound prepared from elementary chromium and benzene.

i) Draw the formula of this complex.

ii) Which complex with the analogous structure is prepared by the reaction of iron powder with cyclopentadiene? Write the chemical equation for its formation.

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

Names, SMILES, and detailed structural descriptions are supplied in the corresponding solution parts.

  • 2.1: Iron pentacarbonyl, \(\ce{Fe(CO)5}\), and chromium hexacarbonyl, \(\ce{Cr(CO)6}\).
  • 2.2: Tetranitrosylchromium, \(\ce{Cr(NO)4}\), counting each linear nitrosyl as a three-electron donor.
  • 2.3: Their odd metal-electron counts cannot reach 18 by adding two-electron carbonyl ligands. Metal–metal bonding supplies the additional electron counted at each metal.
  • 2.4: \(\ce{Ni(CO)4}\) is tetrahedral. \(\ce{Mn2(CO)10}\) has an Mn–Mn bond and ten terminal carbonyls. The usual bridged structure of \(\ce{Co2(CO)8}\) has a Co–Co bond, six terminal carbonyls, and two bridging carbonyls; an unbridged isomer also exists.
  • 2.5: \(\ce{V(CO)6}\) is paramagnetic, with one unpaired electron. \(\ce{Fe(CO)5}\), \(\ce{Cr(CO)6}\), \(\ce{Ni(CO)4}\), \(\ce{Mn2(CO)10}\), and \(\ce{Co2(CO)8}\) are diamagnetic.
  • 2.6: Metal–carbonyl bonding combines carbon-to-metal \(\sigma\) donation with metal-to-carbonyl \(\pi\) back-donation. Trialkylboranes cannot provide comparable back-donation.
  • 2.7:
Label Composition
A \(\ce{Fe(CO)5}\)
B \(\ce{[Fe(CO)4(COOH)]^-}\), with an Fe–C bond to the hydroxycarbonyl group
C \(\ce{Fe(CO)4Br2}\): \(a=4,\ b=2\)
D \(\ce{Fe2(CO)9}\): \(c=2,\ d=9\)
E \(\ce{Li[Fe(CO)4(COCH3)]}\), the lithium salt of an acetyl complex
F \(\ce{[Fe(NEt3)6]^{2+}[Fe(CO)4]^{2-}}\): \(e=6,\ f=4\)

The identification of F requires recognizing that its printed carbon percentage is inconsistent; the calculated value is 57.82%, not 5.782%.

  • 2.8: F places \(\pi\)-accepting carbonyls on electron-rich iron(−II) and amine donors on iron(II). Both ions have 18 electrons; reversing the ligand allocation gives 14- and 22-electron ions.
  • 2.9(i): Bis(benzene)chromium, \(\ce{Cr(C6H6)2}\), an \(\eta^6,\eta^6\) sandwich complex.
  • 2.9(ii): Ferrocene, \(\ce{Fe(C5H5)2}\), an \(\eta^5,\eta^5\) sandwich complex: \[ \ce{Fe + 2C5H6 -> Fe(C5H5)2 + H2}. \]

Solution

Coordination SMILES below use -> and <- for dative bonds. Formal charges in a SMILES are not, by themselves, metal oxidation states. Bridging carbonyls are represented by carbon atoms bonded to both metals, with a double bond to oxygen. For sandwich complexes, component SMILES are accompanied by explicit descriptions of the haptic bonding, which ordinary SMILES cannot adequately express.

For numerical checks, conventional atomic molar masses are used: C, 12.011; H, 1.008; N, 14.007; O, 15.999; Fe, 55.845; and Br, 79.904, all in \(\mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\).

2.1

In neutral-atom electron counting, a metal contributes its group number and each terminal carbon monoxide ligand contributes two electrons. Carbon monoxide, \(\ce{CO}\), has SMILES [C-]#[O+] and coordinates through carbon.

For iron: \[ 8+2n=18 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad n=5. \]

Thus the compound is iron pentacarbonyl, \(\ce{Fe(CO)5}\), SMILES [Fe](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

Its usual coordination geometry is trigonal bipyramidal.

For chromium: \[ 6+2n=18 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad n=6. \]

Thus the compound is chromium hexacarbonyl, \(\ce{Cr(CO)6}\), SMILES [Cr](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

Its coordination geometry is octahedral.

2.2

Nitrogen monoxide, or nitric oxide, \(\ce{NO}\), SMILES [N]=O, is an odd-electron molecule. A linear, N-bound nitrosyl ligand contributes three electrons in neutral-fragment counting.

Consequently, \[ 6+3n=18 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad n=4. \]

The predicted compound is tetranitrosylchromium, \(\ce{Cr(NO)4}\), connectivity SMILES O=N[Cr](N=O)(N=O)N=O.

The electron count assumes linear Cr–N–O units; their bond angles are not encoded by this SMILES.

2.3

Manganese and cobalt contribute seven and nine electrons, respectively. For neutral mononuclear carbonyls, the required numbers of ligands would be \[ \begin{aligned} \text{Mn:}\qquad 7+2n&=18 &&\Longrightarrow n=5.5,\\ \text{Co:}\qquad 9+2n&=18 &&\Longrightarrow n=4.5. \end{aligned} \]

Neither is an integer. Adding two-electron donors to an odd metal-electron count always leaves an odd total.

A metal–metal single bond contributes one electron to the count at each metal. Thus the dimers can satisfy \[ \begin{aligned} \ce{Mn2(CO)10}:&\quad 7+5(2)+1=18 &&\text{at each Mn},\\ \text{unbridged }\ce{Co2(CO)8}:&\quad 9+4(2)+1=18 &&\text{at each Co}. \end{aligned} \]

2.4

  • Tetracarbonylnickel, \(\ce{Ni(CO)4}\), SMILES [Ni](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

Place nickel at the centre of a tetrahedron and four carbon-bound carbonyl ligands at its vertices. The Ni–C–O units are approximately linear. Its electron count is \(10+4(2)=18\).

  • Dimanganese decacarbonyl, \(\ce{Mn2(CO)10}\), SMILES [Mn](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])[Mn](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

Draw an Mn–Mn single bond, with five terminal carbonyl ligands on each manganese. Counting the other manganese as a coordination partner, each metal has approximately octahedral coordination: four equatorial carbonyls and one axial carbonyl opposite the Mn–Mn bond. The two equatorial sets are staggered, approximately \(45^\circ\) apart when viewed along that bond. There are no bridging carbonyls.

  • Dicobalt octacarbonyl, bridged form, \(\ce{Co2(CO)8}\), SMILES [Co]12(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])[Co](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(C1=O)C2=O.

Draw a Co–Co bond, three terminal carbonyls on each cobalt, and two carbonyl groups whose carbon atoms each bridge both cobalt atoms. Each bridging carbonyl contributes one electron to each metal in neutral counting: \[ 9+3(2)+2(1)+1=18. \]

An unbridged isomer of dicobalt octacarbonyl also occurs, particularly in solution. Its SMILES is [Co](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])[Co](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

It has four terminal carbonyls per cobalt and a Co–Co bond. Counting the other cobalt, each metal has approximately trigonal-bipyramidal coordination. Both arrangements satisfy the eighteen-electron rule.

2.5

The references to a) and d) are interpreted as 2.1 and 2.4.

Vanadium hexacarbonyl, \(\ce{V(CO)6}\), has SMILES [V](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

Its electron count is \[ 5+6(2)=17. \] It has one unpaired electron and is therefore paramagnetic.

Compound Electron count per metal Magnetic behaviour
\(\ce{V(CO)6}\) 17 Paramagnetic; one unpaired electron
\(\ce{Fe(CO)5}\) 18 Diamagnetic
\(\ce{Cr(CO)6}\) 18 Diamagnetic
\(\ce{Ni(CO)4}\) 18 Diamagnetic
\(\ce{Mn2(CO)10}\) 18, including the Mn–Mn bond Diamagnetic
\(\ce{Co2(CO)8}\) 18, including the Co–Co bond and any bridges Diamagnetic

The latter carbonyls have paired-electron ground states; in the dimers, the metal–metal bond pairs the electrons associated with the otherwise odd-electron fragments.

2.6

Metal–carbonyl bonding has two mutually reinforcing components:

  1. \(\sigma\) donation: the carbon-centred lone pair of the carbonyl ligand donates into a suitable vacant metal orbital.
  2. \(\pi\) back-donation: occupied metal orbitals donate electron density into the carbonyl ligand’s vacant antibonding \(\pi^\ast\) orbitals.

Back-donation strengthens the metal–carbon bond while weakening the carbon–oxygen bond.

A trialkylborane–carbon monoxide adduct, \(\ce{R3B-CO}\), can be represented generically by SMILES *[B-](*)(*)C#[O+], where each * denotes an alkyl group.

The electron-deficient boron atom accepts \(\sigma\) donation, but it lacks the suitable occupied orbitals needed for comparable back-donation. The additional stabilization present in transition-metal carbonyls is therefore largely absent.

2.7

A — iron pentacarbonyl

The hydride-addition branch retains four unchanged carbonyl ligands and converts one carbonyl into a formyl ligand. The sodium branch likewise produces a tetracarbonyl anion while releasing one carbon monoxide molecule. Both identify \[ \boxed{\ce{A = Fe(CO)5}}. \]

Its name and SMILES are given in 2.1.

B — tetracarbonyl(hydroxycarbonyl)ferrate(0)

Hydroxide attacks the carbon atom of a coordinated carbonyl, producing a hydroxycarbonyl ligand: \[ \boxed{\ce{B = [Fe(CO)4(COOH)]^-}}. \]

Its SMILES is OC(=O)[Fe-](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

The connectivity is Fe–C(=O)–OH, rather than an oxygen-bound formate group. Loss of carbon dioxide, accompanied by transfer of hydrogen to iron, gives the hydride shown in the scheme.

C — dibromidotetracarbonyliron(II)

For \(\ce{Fe(CO)_{a}Br_{b}}\), the analytical carbon-to-bromine atomic ratio is \[ \frac{a}{b} = \frac{14.75/12.011}{48.90/79.904} = 2.007 \approx 2. \]

Thus \(a\approx2b\). Since carbonyl is neutral and each bromido ligand has charge \(-1\), iron has oxidation state \(+b\). The eighteen-electron condition is \[ (8-b)+2a+2b=18, \] or \[ 2a+b=10. \]

Together these give \[ \boxed{a=4,\qquad b=2,\qquad \ce{C = Fe(CO)4Br2}}. \]

Its SMILES is [Fe](Br)(Br)(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

The coordination is octahedral; the stated composition data do not establish a cis/trans arrangement.

The calculated molar mass and percentages are \[ M=55.845+4(28.010)+2(79.904) =327.693\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}, \] \[ w_{\mathrm C}=14.66\%,\qquad w_{\mathrm{Br}}=48.77\%. \]

These differ slightly from the printed values, although the analytical ratio and electron count support the formula above.

D — diiron nonacarbonyl

The given molecular mass corresponds to a molar mass of \(363.8\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}\). The number of iron atoms is \[ c= \frac{0.3070(363.8\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}})} {55.845\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}} =1.99994 \approx2. \]

The remaining mass determines the number of carbonyls: \[ d= \frac{363.8-2(55.845)}{28.010} =9.0007 \approx9. \]

Therefore \[ \boxed{\ce{D = Fe2(CO)9}}. \]

A SMILES for the usual structure is [Fe]123(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])[Fe](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(C1=O)(C2=O)C3=O.

This structure has an Fe–Fe bond, six terminal carbonyls, and three bridging carbonyls. Each iron has \[ 8+3(2)+3(1)+1=18 \] electrons.

E — lithium acetyl(tetracarbonyl)ferrate(0)

The methyl nucleophile attacks a coordinated carbonyl carbon, just as hydride gives the formyl complex. It produces an acetyl ligand: \[ \boxed{\ce{E = Li[Fe(CO)4(COCH3)]}}. \]

Its SMILES is [Li+].CC(=O)[Fe-](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

The acetyl group is attached through its carbonyl carbon: Fe–C(=O)–CH\(_3\).

F — hexakis(triethylamine)iron(II) tetracarbonylferrate(−II)

For the carbonyl anion, the electron count is \[ 8+2+2f=18, \] giving \(f=4\).

For the iron(II) amine cation, \[ 8-2+2e=18, \] giving \(e=6\).

Thus the expected salt is \[ \boxed{\ce{F = [Fe(NEt3)6]^{2+}[Fe(CO)4]^{2-}}}. \]

Its SMILES is [Fe+2](<-N(CC)(CC)CC)(<-N(CC)(CC)CC)(<-N(CC)(CC)CC)(<-N(CC)(CC)CC)(<-N(CC)(CC)CC)<-N(CC)(CC)CC.[Fe-2](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+].

The ions are hexakis(triethylamine)iron(II) and tetracarbonylferrate(−II). Their expected coordination geometries are octahedral and tetrahedral, respectively.

The nitrogen analysis independently checks \(e\). Triethylamine has molar mass \[ M(\ce{NEt3})=101.193\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}. \] With \(f=4\), \[ M_F=223.730+101.193e\quad\mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}, \] so \[ \frac{14.007e}{223.730+101.193e}=0.1011 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad e=5.9896\approx6. \]

For the resulting formula, \[ M_F=830.888\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}, \] \[ w_{\mathrm C} =\frac{40(12.011)}{830.888}\times100 =57.82\%, \] \[ w_{\mathrm N} =\frac{6(14.007)}{830.888}\times100 =10.11\%. \]

The printed 5.782% carbon is impossible for the stated ligand composition. Every triethylamine nitrogen already requires six carbon atoms, whereas the printed percentages imply \[ \frac{n_{\mathrm C}}{n_{\mathrm N}} = \frac{5.782/12.011}{10.11/14.007} \approx0.667<6. \] Additional carbonyl ligands would only increase this ratio. The intended carbon percentage is evidently 57.82%.

The other species needed to describe the reaction scheme are:

Species Name SMILES
\(\ce{NEt3}\) Triethylamine CCN(CC)CC
\(\ce{LiCH3}\) Methyllithium, ionic representation [Li+].[CH3-]
\(\ce{Br2}\) Bromine BrBr
\(\ce{OH-}\) Hydroxide ion [OH-]
\(\ce{H-}\) Hydride ion [H-]
\(\ce{Na+}\) Sodium ion [Na+]
\(\ce{CO2}\) Carbon dioxide O=C=O
\(\ce{[Fe(CO)4(CHO)]^-}\) Tetracarbonyl(formyl)ferrate(0) O=C[Fe-](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+]
\(\ce{[HFe(CO)4]^-}\) Tetracarbonylhydridoferrate(0) [H][Fe-](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+]

The complete balanced reactions are:

\[ \ce{Fe(CO)5 + 2Na -> 2Na+ + [Fe(CO)4]^2- + CO} \]

\[ \ce{Fe(CO)5 + H- -> [Fe(CO)4(CHO)]^-} \]

\[ \ce{Fe(CO)5 + OH- -> [Fe(CO)4(COOH)]^-} \]

\[ \ce{[Fe(CO)4(COOH)]^- -> [HFe(CO)4]^- + CO2} \]

\[ \ce{Fe(CO)5 + Br2 -> Fe(CO)4Br2 + CO} \]

\[ \ce{2Fe(CO)5 ->[h\nu] Fe2(CO)9 + CO} \]

\[ \ce{Fe(CO)5 + LiCH3 -> Li[Fe(CO)4(COCH3)]} \]

\[ \ce{2Fe(CO)5 + 6NEt3 -> [Fe(NEt3)6]^2+ + [Fe(CO)4]^2- + 6CO} \]

All conserve both atoms and charge.

2.8

The disproportionation converts two iron(0) centres into iron(II) and iron(−II).

Carbon monoxide is a strong \(\pi\)-acceptor ligand. It stabilizes electron-rich iron(−II) through substantial back-donation into its \(\pi^\ast\) orbitals. Triethylamine is predominantly a \(\sigma\)-donor and preferentially stabilizes the electron-poor iron(II) centre.

The observed ligand allocation also gives 18 electrons to both ions: \[ \begin{aligned} \ce{[Fe(NEt3)6]^2+}:&\quad 8-2+6(2)=18,\\ \ce{[Fe(CO)4]^2-}:&\quad 8+2+4(2)=18. \end{aligned} \]

The proposed reversal would instead give:

  • Hypothetical tetracarbonyliron(II) cation, \(\ce{[Fe(CO)4]^2+}\), SMILES [Fe+2](<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])(<-[C-]#[O+])<-[C-]#[O+]: \[ 8-2+4(2)=14. \]

  • Hypothetical hexakis(triethylamine)ferrate(−II) anion, \(\ce{[Fe(NEt3)6]^2-}\), SMILES [Fe-2](<-N(CC)(CC)CC)(<-N(CC)(CC)CC)(<-N(CC)(CC)CC)(<-N(CC)(CC)CC)(<-N(CC)(CC)CC)<-N(CC)(CC)CC: \[ 8+2+6(2)=22. \]

Thus both ligand electronic preferences and electron counting favour F.

2.9(i)

Benzene, \(\ce{C6H6}\), SMILES c1ccccc1, contributes six electrons when coordinated through all six ring carbon atoms.

Chromium contributes six electrons, so two benzene ligands give \[ 6+2(6)=18. \]

The complex is bis(\(\eta^6\)-benzene)chromium(0), \(\ce{Cr(C6H6)2}\), component SMILES [Cr].c1ccccc1.c1ccccc1.

To draw it, place chromium midway between two parallel, planar benzene rings, with the metal and both ring centres on one perpendicular axis. Each ring binds through its entire six-carbon \(\pi\) system. The component SMILES does not encode these \(\eta^6\) interactions.

The formal formation equation is \[ \ce{Cr + 2C6H6 -> Cr(C6H6)2}. \]

2.9(ii)

Cyclopenta-1,3-diene, \(\ce{C5H6}\), has SMILES C1C=CC=C1. Its deprotonated ligand is the cyclopentadienyl anion, \(\ce{C5H5-}\), SMILES [cH-]1cccc1, a six-\(\pi\)-electron donor.

The analogous sandwich complex is ferrocene, or bis(\(\eta^5\)-cyclopentadienyl)iron(II): \[ \ce{Fe(C5H5)2}. \]

Its component SMILES is [Fe+2].[cH-]1cccc1.[cH-]1cccc1.

Draw iron between two parallel, planar five-membered rings, with the metal on the line joining their centres. Each ring coordinates through all five carbon atoms. The question does not require a particular relative rotational orientation of the rings.

With two anionic ligands, iron is formally iron(II), giving \[ (8-2)+2(6)=18 \] electrons.

The balanced formation equation is \[ \boxed{\ce{Fe + 2C5H6 -> Fe(C5H5)2 + H2}}. \]

The gaseous coproduct is molecular hydrogen, \(\ce{H2}\), SMILES [H][H].

The solution was checked against the official solution.