Stoichiometric hydrogenation of the heterobimetallic (α-alkynyl) complex [μ(1σ, 23η³H₂CC CCH₃)] [(CO)₃FeCo(CO)₃]

The title compound reacts with molecular hydrogen at 60°C giving rise to the homometallic complexes Fe(CO)₅ and Co₂(CO)₈, and a very rich mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons (e.g. butenes from partial hydrogenation, butane from total hydrogenation and methane and propene from selective hydrogenolysis of the organic chain). The influence of concentration of the title complex, and partial pressure of hydrogen or carbon monoxide on the hydrogenation rate have been investigated. Although an unequivocal mechanism cannot be ascertained from the kinetic data owing to the complexity of the reaction, the pattern of products strongly indicates that the σ-interaction between the iron atom and the organic chain is preserved in the transition state.