Preparation of Arene Chromium Tricarbonyl Complexes Using Continuous-Flow Processing: (n6-C6H5CH3)Cr(CO)3 as an example

• Christopher (Xiang) Lee¹
• Elizabeth A. Pedrick¹
• Nicholas E. Leadbeater¹

• ¹Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, USA
• ²Department of Community Medicine and Health Care, University of Connecticut Health Center, USA

A continuous-flow approach to the direct synthesis of arene chromium tricarbonyl complexes is presented. By working in flow mode, it is possible to avoid some of the problems of batch synthesis, especially sublimation of the Cr(CO)₆ starting material and the competitive decomposition of the product during the lengthy reaction times. Heating at 220 °C and operating with a residence time of 10 min through the heated zone allows for the synthesis of (η⁶-C₆H₅CH₃)Cr(CO)₃ as an example, along with a selection of other (arene)Cr(CO)₃ complexes.

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