The synthetic and reaction chemistry of the asymmetric aryl(bromo)boryl complexes (η5- C5H5)Fe(CO)2B(Ar)Br [Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2, Mes (3); 2,6-(2,4,6-iPr3C6H2) C6H3, 2,6-Trip2C6H3 (4)] are reported. In particular, the scope for substitution at boron by main-group nucleophiles is probed. The synthesis and characterization of (η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2B(Mes) ERn [ERn = OtBu, (5); ERn = SPh (6)] confirm that substitution at boron can be accomplished with retention of the Fe-B bond. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
