Synthesis and characterization of chiral iron carbonyl complexes from imine ligands with carbohydrates and amino acids as substituents

Imines derived from 6-amino-6-desoxy-1,2,3-O-trimethyl-α-d-glucopyranose or from various amino acid esters react with Fe2(CO)9 to produce chiral iron carbonyl complexes. The molecular structure of the diiron hexacarbonyl complex of benzylideneamino-l-methionine methyl ester shows that in addition to the α,β-unsaturated imine moiety the sulphur atom of the amino acid side-chain is engaged in binding the metal centres.