Formation of methane and ethane by reduction of carbon monoxide coordinated through both carbon and oxygen on Mg[CpFe(CO)2]2.4THF

Formation of mixtures of methane and ethane by the reduction of CO under mild conditions on the complex Mg[CpFe(CO)2]2.4THF is reported. Reactions for 10 h at room temperature with a 30-fold excess of HC1 resulted in a total hydrocarbon yield of 5%. Similar reaction was noted with the lithium complex. When DC1 was used at -780C, the reaction was much slower, and the formation of CD3H and C2D5H suggests the formation of a very reactive intermediate. Current data are not sufficient to postulate a mechanism for these reactions