Two-coordinate first row transition metal complexes with short unsupported metal-metal bonds.

A series of first row transition metal complexes with unsupported M-Fe bonds, (3,5-(i)Pr2-Ar*)MFe(η(5)-C5H5)(CO)2 (M = Fe (1), Mn (2), Cr (3), 3,5-(i)Pr2-Ar* = -C6H-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-(i)Pr3)2-3,5-(i)Pr2), was synthesized by salt metathesis. They were characterized by (1)H NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and SQUID magnetic measurements. Two distinct Fe atoms in 1 were confirmed by Mössbauer spectroscopy. All three compounds feature short metal-metal bond distances (Fe-Fe, 2.3931(8) Å (1); Mn-Fe, 2.4512(5) Å (2); Cr-Fe, 2.4887(5) Å (3)). Their DFT computed structures were in excellent agreement with the experimental data and revealed a dative bonding interaction between the metals.