Rhenium carbonyl derivatives halides

The carbonyls are in general volatile compounds with an extensive chemistry which presents many problems as regards valence and stereochemistry. Some are reactive and form a variety of derivatives, as shown in Chart 22.1 for the iron compounds, while others are relatively inert, as for example, Cr(CO)6 etc. and Re2(CO)iQ. This rhenium compound, although converted to the carbonyl halides by gaseous halogens, is stable to alkalis and to concentrated mineral acids. A few carbonyls may be prepared by the direct action of CO on the metal, either at atmospheric pressure (Ni(C0)4) or under pressure at elevated temperatures (Fe(CO)s, Co4(CO)i2)- Others are prepared from halides or, in the case of Os and Re, from the highest oxide. The polynuclear carbonyls are prepared photo-synthetically, by heating the simple carbonyls, or by other indirect methods. 

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