Electron transfer reactions of metal carbonyl anions

Metal carbonyl anions exhibit one- and two-electron reactions. The two-electron processes involving transfer of groups (hydrogen, alkyl, and halogen) between metal centers are related to the nucleophilicity. The one-electron processes are primarily outer-sphere electron transfer for the metal carbonyl anions. These reactions are observed in the presence of oxidants such as coordination complexes, pyridinium salts, metal carbonyl dimers and metal carbonyl clusters. However, in contrast to organic reactions, the metal carbonyl anions may undergo inner-sphere electron transfer. Reactions of metal carbonyl anions of low nucleophilicity with metal carbonyl cations or halides are best interpreted as inner-sphere, one-electron transfer.