REACTIONS OF THE DIFUNCTIONAL ORGANOCHROMIUM CATION 3,3'-OXYBIS[(CHROMIOMETHYL)BENZENE](4+), (CRCH2C6H4)2O4+

The title compound, I, was prepared from bis[m-(bromomethyl)phenyl] ether and excess chromium(II) in aqueous acetone. The product was purified by ion-exchange chromatography, and its composition was verified from its spectrum and from the products obtained on base hydrolysis and on reaction with mercury(II) and mild oxidants. Reaction of the dibromide with limiting quantities of chromium(II) produces the complex [CrCH2C6H4OC6H4CH2Br]2+ (II) which was similarly characterized. Kinetic data were obtained on the reactions forming I and II and on the reactions of I and II with mercury(II) ion. The data are interpreted to show that the difunctional materials react at about twice the rate of their monofunctional analogues, suggesting little important neighboring group assistance. Reactions known to occur in (at least) two stages having comparable rates occasionally give evidence of but a single kinetic step; some general statements relating to statistically related biphasic kinetic schemes are given. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.