Novel h6-arene(dicarbonyl) iron complexes I (R = H, 3-, 4-Me, 4-Ph; R1 = Me3Si, Et) have been prepared by the reaction of 1,5-cyclooctadiene(tricarbonyl)iron with RC6H4Li and subsequent reaction of the acylmetallates with Me3SiCl or Et3OBF4, resp. Oxidation of I (R = H, 4-Me; R1 = Me3Si) with (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 in ethanol solution at -30癈 led to the dissociation of arene ligands to give 9-aryl-9-trimethylsiloxybicyclo[4.2.1]non-2-enes II in high yields. I and II were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectra. The structure of II (R = H, R1 = Me3Si) is further confirmed by x-ray diffraction anal.

Key words: AROMATIC HYDROCARBON, X-RAY DIFFRACTION ANALYSIS, IRON COMPLEX, IRON COMPLEX, CARBONYL COMPLEX, CARBONYL COMPLEX, CARBENE, TRANSITION METAL COMPLEX, ISOMERIZATION REACTION, CYCLOOCTADIENE P