manganesecarbonyl

Manganesecarbonyl refers to a class of organometallic compounds containing manganese and carbonyl ligands. The most common and well-studied example is manganese pentacarbonyl (Mn₂(CO)₁₀), which is a dimer. Manganese pentacarbonyl is a yellow, crystalline solid that is air-sensitive and decomposes upon heating. It is soluble in many organic solvents.

These compounds are typically synthesized through reactions involving manganese salts and carbon monoxide under elevated pressure and temperature, often in the presence of reducing agents. The bonding in manganesecarbonyls involves a donation of electron density from the carbon monoxide ligands to the manganese atom, as well as back-donation from the manganese to the antibonding orbitals of the carbon monoxide. This synergistic bonding is characteristic of metal carbonyls.

Manganesecarbonyl compounds have found applications in various fields, including catalysis. For instance, manganese pentacarbonyl has been investigated as a catalyst or precatalyst in organic transformations such as carbonylation reactions and polymerization processes. Their reactivity stems from the ability of the manganese center to undergo oxidative addition and reductive elimination, facilitating catalytic cycles. Research continues to explore new manganesecarbonyl derivatives and their potential uses in materials science and synthetic chemistry.