A novel catalytic protocol for the homogenous conversion of syngas (CO/H2) to ethylene is proposed. Ethylene is a platform chemical with extensive derivative chemistry; a homogeneous route to ethylene presents a potentially cheaper and less energy intensive alternative to petrochemical cracking. The targeted systems for this transformation are neutral transition metal (M = Fe) carbonyl complexes including thermally robust species of the general formula CpRFe(CO)2(CN) (CpR = C5H5, C5Me5, C5Me4CF3). Studies to date have focused on the anionic formyl complex [Cp*FeCO(CN)CHO]Na (Cp* = C5Me5) which has been synthesised via reduction of Cp*Fe(CO)2CN using NaBH4 in alcohol solvents. This organometallic formyl is indefinitely stable under ambient conditions in alcohol solvents. Further investigations will focus on subsequent H+ mediated disportionation of the formyl to produce H2O and free ethylene.

Homogeneous conversion of CO to ethylene using Fe-cyclopentadienyl complexes

248th National Meeting (2014)

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