Organoiron compounds derived from the indium 'carbene analogues', [In{N(Ar)C(Me)}₂CH] (Ar = dipp = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C ₆H₃; = Mes = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H ₂)

Oxidative insertion of the In(i) 'carbene analogues', [In{N(Dipp)C(Me)} ₂CH] (Ar = Dipp = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H ₃; Ar = Mes = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂) into the Fe-I bond of [CpFe(CO)₂I] occurred cleanly and under mild conditions to yield the In(iii) compounds [CH{(CH₃) ₂CN-2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃} ₂In(I)FeCp(CO)₂] and [CH{(CH₃) ₂CN-2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₃} ₂In(I)FeCp(CO)₂], which have been fully characterised in solution and the solid state. Attempts to abstract the iodide anion from [CH{(CH₃)₂CN-2,6-ⁱPr₂C ₆H₃}₂In(I)FeCp(CO)₂] to form cationic species containing a coordinated indium diyl were unsuccessful and resulted in a complex mixture of products from which two ionic species were isolated. Neither cation was found to contain indium by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These observations were indicative of ill-defined decomposition pathways as have been noted by previous workers. A further attempt to form a cationic iron species containing a coordinated [In{N(Dipp)C(Me)}₂CH] fragment resulted in oxidation of the iron centre from Fe(ii) to Fe(iii), with deposition of indium metal, and the isolation of a cationic Fe(iii) β-diketiminate complex.