Watching Hydrogens Migrate: Step by Step from [ReI(η6-C6H6)2]+to [ReIII(η3-C6H9)(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)2]2+

Arene substitution reactions in [M(η6-arene)2]0/2+are well documented for Groups 6 and 8 but are essentially unknown for the manganese triad. Aiming to replace benzene in [ReI(η6-C6H6)2]+, we altered the hapticity of one coordinated benzene, which we found to be tunable stepwise from an η6to an η3-allyl coordination mode. Reduction of [ReI(η6-C6H6)2]+with hydrides gives [ReI(η5-C6H7)(η6-C6H6)]. Subsequent addition of acid yields [ReIIIH(η5-C6H7)(η6-C6H6)]+, which converts to [ReI(η4-C6H8)(η6-C6H6)NCCH3]+in acetonitrile. Further protonation gives the title complex [ReIII(η3-C6H9)(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)2]2+by a rhenium-mediated, intramolecular hydride shift. Herein, we present a full mechanistic elucidation of these transformations based on NMR studies, isolation of reaction intermediates, and their full characterizations. The structural feature {ReIII(η6-C6H6)} is unprecedented. Direct arene exchange from [ReI(η6-C6H6)2]+to [ReI(η6-arene)(η6-C6H6)]+was found only under strongly acidic conditions in neat arene. The analogous chemistry of the lighter homologue technetium (99Tc) is distinctly different. Treatment of [TcI(η5-C6H7)(η6-C6H6)] with acid in acetonitrile yields only mixtures of [TcI(η6-C6H6)2]+and [TcII(NCCH3)6]2+.