The reaction of the title compound 1 with HgCl~2 yielded the expected product (Me~2SiSiMe~2)[(C~5Me~4)Fe(CO)~2HgCl][(C~5Me~4)Fe(CO)~2Cl]~2, together with two disproportionation products 3 and 4. 1 was reduced by sodium amalgam to produce the Fe-Fe bond cleaved di-iron dianion 5. The reaction of 5 with various chlorides afforded the corresponding substituted iron derivatives 6, 7 and 8. The structures of 2-4 and 6-8 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR and ^1H NMR spectroscopy.

Key words: CYCLOPENTADIENE P, DISMUTATION, IRON COMPLEX, SODIUM AMALGAM, CARBONYL COMPLEX, REDUCTION