A series of new compounds with the general formula [Fe(CO)2Cp]2SnRCl [R = (un)substituted Ph, Cp = h5-C5H5] was prepared from the reaction of [Fe(CO)2Cp]2SnCl2 with RMgX (X = halide). The reaction of [Fe(CO)2Cp]2SnRCl with a series of nucleophiles, Y-, gave another group of new compounds, [Fe(CO)2Cp]2SnRY, among which [Fe(CO)2Cp]2Sn(p-MeC5H4)Br was characterized by an x-ray structural anal. The kinetics of the reaction between [Fe(CO)2Cp]2Sn(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)Cl and NaS2CNMe2 or KSCN in different solvents showed that the major reaction pathway was SN2 despite the steric hindrance from the two bulky iron groups attached to the central tin.

Key words: CRYSTAL STRUCTURE DETERMINATION, REACTION MECHANISM, REACTION KINETICS, X-RAY DIFFRACTION ANALYSIS, SUBSTITUTION REACTION, CYCLOPENTADIENE P, CARBONYL COMPLEX, TIN COMPOUND, GRIGNARD REAGENT, TETRACOORDINATE