The reaction of Pb(Br)C6H3-2,6-Trip2 (Trip = C6H2-2,4,6-i-Pr3), generated in situ, with the
salts Na[M(η5-C5H5)(CO)3]·DME (M = Cr, Mo, or W; DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) affords
the novel green, crystalline metalloplumbylenes (η5-C5H5)(CO)3M-P̈b-C6H3-2,6-Trip2 (M =
Cr, 1; Mo, 2; W, 3) in moderate yield. The compounds were characterized spectroscopically
(1H, 13C, and 207Pb NMR, IR, and UV−vis) and by combustion analysis. In addition the X-ray
crystal structures of 1−3 were determined. The compounds feature strongly bent geometries
at lead (M−Pb−C = 108.6(2)−113.58(9)°) and relatively long M−Pb distances (2.9092(9) Å,
Cr; 2.9845(7) Å, Mo; 2.9809(10) Å, 3.0055(6) Å W), which are consistent with single M−Pb
bonding. The stability of the complexes, which melt with decomposition in the range 210−226 °C, is attributed to steric protection of the metal centers by the very large −C6H3-2,6-Trip2 substituent. The compounds are the first examples of metalloplumbylenes that feature
a bent two-coordinate lead geometry.