Nonacarbonylbis(μ 3 ‐methylidin)trieisen

Nonacarbonylbis(μ 3 ‐methylidyne)triiron Halogen exchange reaction in Fe 3 (CO) 9 (μ 3 CF) 2 ( 1 ) with BBr 3 ( 3 ) yields Fe 3 (CO) 9 (μ 3 CBr) 2 ( 4 ), which can be converted by (C 4 H 9 ) 3 SnH ( 5 ) into Fe 3 (CO) 9 (μ 3 CH) 2 ( 6 ). 6 is the parent compound of the bis(alkylidyne)triiron clusters. Selective reduction of the CBr moiety in Fe 3 (CO) 9 (μ 3 CBr) (μ 3 CCO 2 CH 3 ) ( 7 ) results in the formation of Fe 3 (CO) 9 (μ 3 CH) (μ 3 CCO 2 CH 3 ) ( 8 ). The structure of 8 has been elucidated by an X‐ray crystalstructure determination.