Reaction of Carbon Anions With Iron α,β‐Unsaturated Ketimine Complexes

Complexes (η 4 ‐PhCH=CHCR=NPh)Fe(CO) 3 , where R=H(1a) and CH 3 were synthesized in excellent yield from the reaction of the corresponding α,β‐unsaturated ketimines with excess Fe 2 (CO) 9 . Reaction of la with (Ph) 2 CHLi and (CH 3 ) 2 (NC)CLi at −78°C or ambient temperature followed by acid quenching gave trans ‐PhCH=CHCHRNHPh, where R=CHPH 2 and C(CH 3 ) 2 CN, respectively, in good yield. In the presence of 1 atm. of CO the reaction of 1a with (CH 3 ) 2 (NC)CLi, followed by CuCl 2 oxidation resulted in the formation of a carbamyl choride, trans ‐PhCH=CHCH[C(CH 3 ) 2 CN]N(Ph)COCl. This species was converted to a carbamate compound trans ‐PhCH=CHCH[C(CH 3 ) 2 ‐ CN]N(Ph)COOCH 3 in MeOH in the presence of Ag + .