Comparative matrix isolation and time-resolved infrared studies on the photochemistry of decacarbonylmanganeserhenium and decacarbonyldirhenium: evidence for carbonyl-bridged nonacarbonylmanganeserhenium

The authors wish to report the results of an investigation into the photochemistry of MnRe(CO)/sub 10/ and Re/sub 2/(CO)/sub 10/ using both matrix isolation at 12 K and time-resolved IR spectroscopy of solutions at room temperature. For both molecules they have detected primary photoproducts involving loss of CO from the parent decacarbonyl. MnRe(CO)/sub 9/ has a bridging CO group while Re/sub 2/(CO)/sub 9/ does not. In hydrocarbon solution, MnRe(CO)/sub 9/ reacts with CO substantially faster than does Mn/sub 7/(CO)/sub 9/.