Polymer-Bound Cyclopentadiene Metal Carbonyl Compounds and Their Ligand Substitution Derivatives

The invention concerns polymer-bound cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compounds and their ligand substitution derivatives, a method for their production and use as catalysts.

The application of polymer-bound metal carbonyl compounds and their ligand substitution derivatives as catalysts has already been established. In particular, metal-carbonyls bound by phosphine groups to a polymer carrier molecule, or their derivatives with various ligands, such as halides, additional phosphine groups, and alkyl or aryl groups, have been described in German OS No. 1,800,379; British Patent Specification No. 1,236,615; U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,609; U.S. Pat. No. 3,239,570; Canadian Patent Specification No. 72-31,992; and German Pat. Nos. 2,062,351 and 2,062,352.

These types of compounds--bound by phosphine groups to a polymer carrier--of the metals cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, and platinum have been used as catalysts for hydroformylation, isomerization, cyclization, hydrogenation, acetylation, and oligomerization, where oxidic materials such as silica gel have been employed as polymer carriers, as well as macroreticular, cross-linked polystyrene [See, for example,

Pittman, Evans, J. Organometal. Chem. 67, 295 (1974);

Pittman, Hanes, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 98, 5402 (1976);

Rollman; Inorg. Chim. Acta 6, 137 (1972);

Collman, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 94, 1789 (1972);

Piacenti et al., Chim. Ind. 49, 245 (1967);

Strukul et al., Inorg. Chim. Acta 12, 15 (1975);

Bruner, Bailar, Inorg. Chem. 12, 1465 (1973);

Arai, Kaneko, Kunugi, Chem. Lett. 1975, 265;

Kim, Rase, Ind. Eng. Chem., Prod. Res. Dev. 15, 249 (1976);

Capka et al., Tetrahedron Letters 1971, 4787; and

Takaishi et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 98, 5400 (1976)].

The disadvantages of these active metal compounds, bound by phosphine groups to a polymer, are the instability of phosphine-metal bonds during catalytic reactions of this nature and the partial separation of the metal from the compound with the polymer carrier during the catalytic reaction. This results in a continuous reduction of the catalytic activity of the compounds. [See, for example, Evans et al., J. Organomet. Chem. 67, 295 (1974) and Strukul et al., J. Mol. Catal. 2, 179 (1977)]

It is an object of the present invention to create new polymer-bound metal carbonyl compounds or the corresponding ligand-substitution derivatives, which are suited as catalysts for a number of chemical-technical procedures, which catalysts do not suffer from the disadvantages of already known catalysts. In particular, the invention will create polymer-bound metal carbonyl compounds and their ligand substitution derivatives that show high selectivity during chemical-technical procedures and whose activity remains undiminished over a longer period of time.

Surprisingly, it has been found that polymer-bound cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compounds and their ligand substitution derivatives, with a bond between the polymer carrier and the active metal ligand group formed by means of the cyclopentadiene group, are stable compounds for which separation of the metal does not occur and which provide catalysts of surprisingly high activity, even over a longer period of time.

The present invention is thus directed to polymer-bound cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compounds and their ligand substitution derivatives, which compounds and derivatives are characterized by the fact that they contain groups of the general formula

in which

R is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-4 -alkyl group, a benzene group or a diphenylmethyl group,

Me is a transitional metal from the 6th, 7th, or 8th neighboring group of the periodic table,

x is 1, 2, or 3, as well as 0 for compounds of metals from the 8th neighboring group of the periodic table.

L is a tri(C.sub.1-3 -Alkyl) phosphine group, a triphenylphosphine group, a tri(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-phosphite group, a nitrosyl group, an allyl group, a SnCl.sub.3 group, a halogen atom, or a hydrogen atom,

y is 0, 1, or 2, and

z is 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Such groups are covalently bound to a polymer carrier either directly or by way of methylene groups, Di(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-methylene groups, (C.sub.1-3 alkyl)-phenyl methylene groups, diphenyl methylene groups, (C.sub.2-4 -alkylene) groups, Di(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-silyl groups, Di(C.sub.1-3 -alkoxy)-silyl groups, diphenyl silyl groups, (C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-chlorine-silyl groups, phenyl chlorine silyl groups, dichlorine silyl groups, or by analogous silyl groups substituted with two or three groups of the general formula --(C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Me(CO).sub.x L.sub.y.

Thus the present invention is also directed to both mononuclear, polymer-bound cyclopentadiene metal derivatives (z=1), as well as compounds in which a bi-tetranuclear cyclopentadiene metal compound is bound to the polymer carrier (z=2, 3, or 4). The coefficients x, y, and z take on values in a way such that the C.sub.5 R.sub.4 -ligands, the CO-ligands, the L-ligands, and the neighboring Me-atoms of multinuclear compounds complete the electron configuration of each Me-atom in a stable 18-electron configuration.

The subject of the invention, furthermore, is a method for synthezizing of polymer-bound cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compounds and their ligand substitution derivatives of the type described above by means of a procedure whereby the mono- or multinuclear (and, as the case may be, ligand substituted) metal carbonyl groups can be linked with the polymer carrier by way of the cyclopentadiene groups --C.sub.5 R.sub.4, which in a given case can also be substituted. The polymer-cyclopentadiene-metal linkage is effected through the reaction of a reactive carbonyl compound of metals from the 6th, 7th, or 8th neighboring groups of the periodic table, or through the reaction of a corresponding ligand substitution derivative, with the cyclopentadiene residues, which are bound to the corresponding polymer carrier either directly or by way of methylene groups, Di(C.sub.1-3 alkyl)-methylene groups, (C.sub.1-3 -alkyl-phenyl-methylene groups, diphenyl-methylene groups, (C.sub.1-3 -alkylene) groups, Di(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-silyl groups, Di(C.sub.1-3 -alkoxy)-silyl groups, diphenyl silyl groups, (C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-chlorine-silyl groups, phenyl chlorine silyl groups, dichlorine silyl groups, or by way of analogous silyl groups substituted with two or three cyclopentadiene groups. The cyclopentadiene residues (under certain circumstances cyclopentadiene in its substituted form) are involved either in their protonated form, i.e., in their neutral form, --C.sub.5 R.sub.4 H, or in their deprotonated form, i.e., in their anionic form --C.sub.5 R.sub.4.sup.-, and the reaction takes place in a suitable, water-free solution, with an inert gas atmosphere, at a temperature between -80.degree. C. and the boiling point of the solvent, in certain circumstances under light irradiation, during a period of from 2 hours to several days. The procedure is concluded with the isolation of the polymer-bound material.

The polymer-cyclopentadiene-metal linkage can be furthermore obtained through the reaction of a ring- or ligand-substituted cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compound of the general formula:

(in which X is a trichlorine silyl group, a dichlorine (C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-silyl group, a dichlorine phenyl silyl group, a chlorine-di(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-silyl group, a chlorine diphenyl silyl group, or an analogous silyl group whose chlorine atoms are replaced by C.sub.1-3 -alkoxy groups, or an analogous chlorine silyl group substituted with two or three groups of the general formula --(C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Me(CO).sub.x L.sub.y, or a C.sub.1-3 -alkoxy silyl group with a carrier material that contains reactive hydroxyl groups or lithium aryl groups. The reaction takes place in a water-free, inert solvent, under an inert gas atmosphere, at a temperature between room temperature and the reflux temperature of the reactive mixture, and has a duration of from 2 hours to several days; Again, the procedure concludes with the isolation of the polymer-bound material.

In addition, the invention has as its subject the application of the cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compounds and their ligand substitution derivatives thus obtained, as catalysts for hydroformylations, carbonylations, carboxylmethylations, hydrogenations, isomerizations, oligo- and polymerizations, as well as for oxidation reactions with carbon monoxide, methanol, olefins, and other unsaturated organic compounds.

The polymers employed as the carrier for the polymer-bound cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compounds can include macroreticular, macroporous polystyrenes, copolymerized with 5-20% benzene. The polystyrenes in general have a pore size of 100-400 A and a specific surface of 80-300 m.sup.2 /g. They are available commercially from, e.g., Bayer, AG, Leverkusen.

As further polymer-carrier substances, macroporous, precipitated silica gels can be used. Such silica gels in general have a pore volume of approx. 1 cm.sup.3 /g, a specific surface of 100-600 m.sup.2 /g, and a water content of 1-5%. Silica gels of this sort are commercially available from, e.g., the firm Ventron, Danvers, Mass. USA.

As polymer-carriers, macroporous silicate glasses can also be employed, which are in use for the production of polymer-bound enzyme preparations. These silicate glasses have a mean pore diameter of approx. 200-2000 A and a specific surface of approx. 10-120 m.sup.3 /g. They are available commercially from, e.g., Corning Glass, Houghton Park, N.Y., USA.

The most essential feature of the compounds produced by the invention is a covalent linkage of the cyclopentadiene groups, or the substituted cyclopentadiene groups, with the polymer carrier substance on the one side, and with a metal carbonyl residue on the other. With the use of styrene divinylbenzene copolymers, the covalent combination with the polymer carrier can be produced most simply by way of alkylene groups, preferably by way of methylene bridges, which can also be substituted by C.sub.1-3 -alkyl groups or phenyl groups.

In the case of silica gel carriers and silicate glass carriers, the covalent connection occurs most effectually between the cyclopentadiene group and an Si-atom on or in the surface of the silica gel or silicate glass, or by way of the silyl groups, which can be substituted by C.sub.1-3 -alkyl groups, C.sub.1-3 -alkoxy groups, or phenyl groups.

In the instant cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compounds and in their ligand substitution derivatives, R is preferably a hydrogen atom. The cyclopentadiene residue can however be replaced by one, two, three, or four substituents, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. One or two substituents are preferred. In these polymer-bound cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compounds, and their ligand substitution derivatives, R can be, for example, a C.sub.1-4 -alkyl group, such as a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, or tert-butyl group, or an aryl-substituted group, preferably a benzene group or a diphenyl methyl group. In the preferred compounds, either all residues R are hydrogen atoms, or three of the residues R are hydrogen atoms and one of the residues R is a methyl or tert-butyl group.

The metal moiety in the compounds of this invention can be any of the transitional metals of the 6th, 7th, or 8th neighboring groups of the periodic table, for example chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, rhenium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, and platinum. Depending on the type and valence of the metals, x can be 1, 2, or 3; for compounds of transitional metals of the 8th neighboring group of the periodic table, x can also have a value of 0. The residue L in the compounds can be a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, such as chlorine, bromine, or iodine, an allyl-group, or a SnCl.sub.3 -group. L can also be a nitrosyl group, or a phosphine group, or a comparable ligand group, for example a tri(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-phosphite group, or a combination of these groups, through which the valence shell of the particular metal's nucleus takes on the configuration of the neighboring noble gas.

The cyclopentadiene-substituted organic or oxidic polymer carrier-substances employed in the production of the compounds of this invention are produced in a well-known manner [See, for example, Bonds et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 97, 2128 (1975); Chandrasekaran et al., J. Organometal. Chem. 120, 49 (1976); Jackson et al. J. Organometal. Chem. 125, 57 (1977), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.]. Through the reaction of lithiated polystyrenes with alkyl- or aryl-substituted fulvenes, cyclopentadienyl groups can be connected, over the corresponding alkyl- or aryl-substituted methylene bridges with a polystyrene carrier. For the combination of cyclopentadiene groups with silica gel- and silicate glass-carriers, as well as with lithiated polystyrene carriers, the reaction of these carrier substances with SiCl.sub.4, with alkyl trichloro silane, or a dialkyl dichlorosilane, and subsequent substitution with a cyclopentadiene anion, is particularly suited.

The cyclopentadiene derivatives bound to the appropriate carrier material are combined in their protonated, neutral form --C.sub.5 R.sub.4 H at a temperature between room temperature and the reflux temperature of the reactive mixture, in an inert gas atmosphere, for a period of from 4 hours to 5 days with an appropriate metal carbonyl compound in an appropriate solvent. Thus such cyclopentadiene/polymer materials can be reacted with a 1.2 to 4-fold excess of Fe.sub.2 (CO).sub.9, in relation to the C.sub.5 R.sub.4 H content, in a 0.2 to 2 molar tetrahydrofuran- or diethylether-solution; or with a 1.2 to 4-fold excess of Co.sub.2 (CO).sub.8 in a 0.2-2 molar solution in dichloromethane, or other chlorinated hydrocarbon; or with a 1.2 to 4-fold excess of Fe(CO).sub.5 in an inert solvent under light irradiation; or with Ru(CO).sub.3 (1.5-cyclooctadien), or with Ru.sub.3 (CO).sub.12 in tetrahydrofuran, or with Cr (CO).sub.3 (CH.sub.3 CH).sub.3, Mo(CO).sub.3 (CH.sub.3 CN).sub.3, or W(CO).sub.3 (CH.sub.3 CN).sub.3, or an analogous ligand-substitution product of a transitional metal-carbonyl compound in an inert solvent. The resulting polymer materials are then isolated.

Cyclopentadiene derivatives linked to the particular carrier material can first be converted by reaction with a quantity of a C.sub.1-4 -alkyl-lithium compound approximating the --C.sub.5 R.sub.4 H content as closely as possible, or with a quantity of a C.sub.1-4 -alkyl-grignard compound in tetrahydorfuran- or diethyl-ether-solution (0.25-2 molar) under an inert gas atmosphere in their deprotonated, anionic form --C.sub.5 R.sub.4.sup.-. In this form, in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature from -80.degree. C. to the reflux temperature of the solvent for a period of 2 hours to 5 days, they are allowed to react with a 1.2 to 4-fold excess of Cr(CO).sub.6, in relation to the C.sub.5 R.sub.4.sup.- -content; or of Mo(CO).sub.6, W(CO).sub.6, Mn(CO).sub.5 Br, Fe.sub.2 (CO).sub.9, Ru.sub.3 (CO).sub.12, Ru(CO).sub.3 Cl.sub.2, (Rh(CO.sub.2 Cl).sub.2, Ni(P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3).sub.2 Cl.sub.2, Ni(C.sub.3 H.sub.5)Br, Pd(C.sub.3 H.sub.5)Cl; Pd(C.sub.3 H.sub. 5)Br, (Pd(P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3)Cl.sub.2).sub.2, or of an analogously composed compouned of a transitional metal from the 6th, 7th, or 8th neighboring group of the periodic table, in which one or several of the CO-groups or P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 -groups is replaced with a tri(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-phosphine group or with a tri(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl)-phosphite group, or one or several of the halogen atoms is replaced by a SnCl.sub.3 group.

The procedures described above primarily produce mononuclear polymer-bound cyclopentadiene metal-carbonyl compounds, or their ligand substitution derivatives. Mono- and multinuclear polymer-bound derivatives can be obtained through the reaction of a ring- or ligand-substituted cyclopentadiene metal carbonyl compound of the general formula

--in which X is a trichlorine silyl group, a dichlorine (C.sub.1-3 -alkyl) silyl group, a dichlorine phenyl silyl group, a chlorine-di(C.sub.1-3 -alkyl) silyl group, a chlorine-diphenyl-silyl group, or an analogous silyl group, whose chlorine atoms are replaced by C.sub.1-3 -alkoxy groups, or an analogous chlorine silyl group or C.sub.1-3 -alkoxysilyl group substituted with two or three groups of the general formula --(C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Me(CO).sub.x L.sub.y, with a carrier material that contains reactive hydroxy groups or lithium aryl groups, in a water-free, inert solvent, in an inert-gas atmosphere at a temperature between room temperature and the reflux temperature of the reactive mixture, for a duration of from 2 hours to several days. The polymer-bound material is then isolated.

As alkoxy-silyl-substituted, or chlorine silyl-substituted, compounds of the general formula

the following compounds can be used: (X--C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Fe(CO).sub.2 I, [(X--C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Fe(CO).sub.2 ].sub.2, [(X--C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Fe(NO)].sub.2, [(X--C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Fe(CO)].sub.4, the analogous ruthenium compounds containing Ru instead of Fe, (X--C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Co(CO).sub.2, [(X--C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Co(CO)].sub.2, [(X--C.sub.5 R.sub.4)CoNO].sub.2, [(X--C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Co(CO)].sub.3, the analogous rhodium compounds containing Rh instead of Co, [(X--C.sub.5 R.sub.4)Cr(CO).sub.3 ].sub.2, the corresponding molybdenum or tungsten compounds containing Mo, or W, instead of Cr, or analogously composed ligand substitution derivatives of metals from the 6th, 7th, or 8th neighboring groups of the periodic table.

For the transformation of such chlorine silyl- or alkoxy silyl-substituted components

either a macroreticular, macroporous copolymer of styrene and 5-20% divinylbenzene, lithiated to have a Li-content of 0.25-1.5 mmol/g, or a macroporous silica gel, dried at 100.degree.-800.degree. C., or a silicate glass with a large mean pore diameter can be employed.

The compounds produced by the invention are valuable catalysts for chemical-technical procedures, particularly for the hydroformylation of olefins with CO and H.sub.2, for reactions of CO with H.sub.2 or methanol, but also for other reactions of unsaturated organic compounds, such as carbonylation, carboxymethylation, hydrogenation, isomerization, oligo- and polymerization reactions, as well as oxidation.

In comparison with customary catalysts the compounds produced by the invention represent a great improvement. They combine the advantages of homogenous catalysts, such as great activity and high substrate selectivity, with those of heterogenous catalysts, namely easy regenerability, simple reincorporation into the reaction, and great durability.

The following examples illustrate but do not limit the invention herein.

6 g of chloromethylated polystyrene (copolymerized with 18% divinylbenzene) with a chlorine content of 10.2% are brought to a swell with 80 ml of dried tetrahydrofuran for 2 hours at reflux. After cooling, the equipment is made air-free by evacuation and by filling with nitrogen. With a hypodermic needle 54 ml of 1.6 molar solution of sodium cyclopentadiene in tetrahydrofuran are then added. The mixture is boiled for 32 hours under nitrogen, then stirred for 5 days at room temperature.

The product is drawn off under protective gas, washed with tetrahydrofuran, water, and once more with tetrahydrofuran, and finally with petroleum ether, and then is dried in a vacuum. The resulting cyclopentadiene methyl polystyrene has a residual chlorine content of 2.2% and shows absorption bands typical of the C.sub.5 H.sub.5 group at 1362, 895, and 820 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum.

3.5 g of the above product is brought to a swell by stirring in 200 ml dichloroethane; under air-free conditions and with a covering atmosphere of nitrogen, 3.38 g (9.94 mmol) dicobaltoctacarbonyl are added and heated at reflux for 54.5 hours under light-free conditions. The substance is removed under nitrogen, washed with dichloromethane and petroleum ether, and dried in a vacuum. Approximately 4 g of red-brown beads, with a cobalt content of 4.3% are thus obtained. The infrared spectrum shows two absorption bands at 1955 and 2025 cm.sup.-1, typical for polystyrene methylenecyclopentadiene cobaltdicarbonyl.

5 g of a polystyrene divinylbenzene polymer substituted with 1.42 meq/g C.sub.5 H.sub.5 --CH.sub.2 following Example 1 are suspended in 60 ml tetrahydrofuran and stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. 35 ml of a 0.6 molar ethereal solution of CH.sub.3 Li are then added with a hypodermic needle and stirred for 2 days at room temperature. It is then filtered and washed several times with dry tetrahydrofuran and ether, until the filtrate is neutral during hydrolysis.

The highly air-sensitive resin is suspended in 50 ml dimethylformamide. 1.6 g Cr(CO).sub.6 are added. The mixture is heated to 180.degree. C. over 4 hours. After cooling, the mixture is filtered at room temperature and washed several times with dimethylformamide and ether until the filtrate is colorless.

The substance is left to stand for 4 hours under 2n acetic acid and then washed with nitrogen-saturated water and a mixture of water and tetrahydrofuran free of acetic acid. It is then washed with ether and dried for 2 days in a high vacuum at room temperature.

The resulting product has a chromium content of 1.55% and shows bands at 1920 and 2020 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum typical of polystyrene methylenecylopenta/diene chromium tricarbonylhydride.

The analogous molybdenum and tungsten derivatives can be obtained by following the method given in Example 2, replacing Cr(CO).sub.6 with 1.88 g Mo(CO).sub.6, or with 2.5 g W(CO).sub.6, as the case may be.

The resulting products contain 4.5% Mo, or 1.65% W, and show absorption-bands at 1930 and 2030 cm.sup.-1, or 1925 and 2020 cm.sup.-1, in the infrared spectrum typical of polystyrene methylene cyclopentadiene molybdenum tricarbonylhydride, or polystyrol methylenecyclopentadiene tungstentricarbonyl hydride.

5 g of a polystyrene divinylbenzene polymer substituted with 1.42 meq./g C.sub.5 H.sub.5 --CH.sub.2 following Example 1, are suspended under an N.sub.2 atmosphere in 60 ml air-free tetrahydrofuran and stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. Then 1 g Fe.sub.2 (CO).sub.9 is added and, still under N.sub.2, warmed until reflux. After 2 days it is filtered and washed several times with tetrahydrofuran until the filtrate is colorless. Following this it is washed in air-free ether and dried for 2 days at room temperature in a high vacuum.

The resulting air-sensitive product has an iron content of 2.5% and shows absorption bands at 1960 and 2040 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum typical for polystyrene methylenecyclopentadiene ironcarbonyl hydride.

5 g of a polystyrene copolymerized with 18% divinylbenzene are washed with toluene and dried for 2 days at room temperature in a high vacuum.

The substance is suspended under N.sub.2 in 50 ml of dry, air-free cyclohexane, and then 20 ml of 2 molar lithium-butyl solution in hexane are added followed by 10 ml tetramethylethylene diamine. After the initially exothermic reaction subsides, the suspension is stirred for 2 days at 60.degree. C. After cooling it is filtered at room temperature under N.sub.2 and washed several times with air-free cyclohexane until the filtrate is neutral during hydrolysis.

4.5 g of the polystyrene thus lithiated are brought to a swell under N.sub.2 in air-free, dry tetrahydrofurane for 1 hour at room temperature, displaced with 1.9 ml dimethylfulvene, and then stirred for 2 days at room temperature under N.sub.2. It is then washed under N.sub.2 with tetrahydrofuran and methanol and dried for 2 days in a high vacuum.

The resulting polystyrene dimethylene cyclopentadiene is suspended in 50 ml CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 under a N.sub.2 atmosphere and transformed with Co.sub.2 (CO).sub.8, as described in Example 1. The resulting product shows a cobalt content of 1.8% and the characteristic infrared bands at 1955 and 2025 cm.sup.-1.

15 g of a macroporous silica gel (8 to 12 mesh) are dried at 600.degree. C., degased in a vacuum, and suspended in 50 ml toluene. 3.5 ml (C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O).sub.3 Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.5) are added and stirred 48 h at 60.degree. C. After cooling, it is washed with chloroform and ether. The resulting product is dried for 2 days in a high vacuum at 60.degree. C.

6.2 g of the cyclopentadiene diethoxy silyl silica gel thus obtained are suspended under a N.sub.2 atmosphere in 60 ml methylenechloride and stirred after the addition of 2.9 g Co.sub.2 (CO).sub.8 for 2 days at 35.degree. C. under N.sub.2.

The mixture is then filtered in air-free conditions and washed with CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 and ether until the filtrate is colorless. The resulting air-sensitive product is dried for 2 days in a high vacuum at room temperature. It contains 3.1% Co and shows two absorption bands at 1970 and 2025 cm.sup.-1 typical of silica gel cyclopentadiene cobaltdicarbonyl.

6.2 g. of the cyclopentadiene diethoxy silyl silica gel obtained following Example 6 are held under air-free conditions with 3.2 g Fe.sub.2 (CO).sub.9 in tetrahydrofuran for 2 days at reflux temperature. After cooling, the remaining solution of the polymer material is decanted and washed with air-free tetrahydrofuran, until the remaining fluid is colorless. The polymer material is dried in a high vacuum for 2 days at room temperature. The polymer material contains 1.5% Fe and reveals infrared absorption bands at 1960 and 2030 cm.sup.-1 typical for silica gel silyl cyclopentadiene irondicarbonylhydride.

6.2 g Co.sub.2 (CO).sub.8 are held in air-free conditions with 7 ml (C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O).sub.3 SiC.sub.5 H.sub.5 in methylenechloride for 12 hours at reflux temperature. After cooling, the solution is filtered, the residue washed with methylenechloride, and the combined filtrates are evaporated in a high vacuum. The remaining red oil is cooled to -40.degree. C. and decanted from the precipitated Co.sub.2 (CO).sub.8. The resulting (C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O).sub.3 Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.4)Co(CO).sub.2 is preserved in air-free conditions.

6 g of a coarse-grained silica gel are dried at 800.degree. C., degased, and suspended in 30 ml toluene. Under air-free conditions, 4 ml (C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O).sub.3 Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.4)Co(CO).sub.2 are added, and the reactive mixture is held for 12 hours at reflux temperature. After cooling, the polymer material is isolated by decanting, washing several times with air-free toluene and air-free CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2, and subsequent drying at room temperature in a high vacuum. The resulting product contains 2.6% Co and shows the same infrared absorption bands at 1970 and 2025 cm.sup.-1 as the material obtained in Example 6.

6.2 g Co.sub.2 (CO).sub.8 are transformed in the same manner as described in Example 8, with 7 ml C.sub.2 H.sub.2 O(CH.sub.3).sub.2 SiC.sub.5 H.sub.5, to C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O(CH.sub.3)Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.4)Co(CO).sub.2.

6 g of coarse-grained silica gel and 4 ml C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O(CH.sub.3).sub.2 Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.4)Co(CO).sub.2, once again in the same manner as described in Example 8, are converted to a dimethylsilyl cyclopentadiene cobaltdicarbonyl, which contains 1.7% Co and shows infrared absorption bands at 1970 and 2025 cm.sup.-1 typical for this substance.

3.1 g Fe(CO).sub.9 are held under air-free conditions in 50 ml THF with 1.5 ml (C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O).sub.3 SiC.sub.5 H.sub.5 for 4 hours at reflux temperature. After cooling, the solvent is removed in a vacuum, the residue is taken up under a nitrogen atmosphere in petroleum ether and is filtered. After removal of the petroleum ether, [(C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O).sub.3 Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.4)Fe(CO).sub.2 ].sub.2 is obtained in the form of a dark red oil.

4 g of silica gel and 1.5 ml (C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O).sub.3 Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.4)Fe(CO).sub.2 are transformed, in the same manner described in Example 8 for (C.sub.2 H.sub.5 O).sub.3 Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.4)Co(CO).sub.2, into polymer-bound, binuclear ethoxy silyl cyclopentadiene irondicarbonyl dimer. The resulting material contains 1.8% Fe and shows absorption bands at 2050, 2000, 1980, 1960, and 1795 cm.sup.-1 typical for silica gel ethoxy silyl cyclopentadiene irondicarbonyl dimer.

0.6 g of a polystyrene methylene cyclopentadiene cobaltdicarbonyl obtained according to Example 1 are exposed with 5 ml 1-pentene in 10 ml toluene to a CO pressure of 100 atmospheres and an H.sub.2 pressure of 100 atmospheres.

Within 8 hours at 135.degree. C. over 95% of the added pentene is converted to a mixture of n-hexanol and 2 methylpentanol. The composition of the produced mixture is given gas chromatographically as 72% n-hexanol 24% 2-methylpentanol, and 4% alcohol and other products.

0.5 g of a polystyrene methylene cyclopentadiene rhodiumdicarbonyl (2.5% Rh, IR bands at 1950 and 2030 cm.sup.-1) obtained analogously to that obtained in Example 2 but with Rh.sub.2 (CO).sub.4 Cl.sub.2 instead of Cr(CO).sub.6, are exposed, as in Example 7, with 1-pentene in a toluene solution to a CO pressure of 100 atmospheres and an H.sub.2 pressure of 100 atmospheres. Within 2 hours at 100.degree. C. over 95% of the added 1-pentene is converted to a mixture of n-hexanol (approximately 62%) and 2-methylpentanol (approximately 38%).

2 g of a polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer, substituted with 1.7 mmol/g --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.5 groups following Example 1, are suspended in 20 ml of petroleum ether and stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. With an hypodermic needle 7.5 ml of a 1.6 molar solution of n-butyl lithium in hexane are added and stirred at room temperature for 2 days. The resin is filtered out and washed several times with dry tetrahydrofuran, until the filtrate is neutral during hydrolysis.

To the resin suspended in 30 ml tetrahydrofuran are added 4.5 g NiCl.sub.2 (P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3).sub.2. The suspension is stirred for 4 days at room temperature and then heated for 6 hours at 40.degree. C. After cooling, the suspension is filtered at room temperature and washed several times with tetrahydrofuran and ether, until the filtrate is colorless. The slightly red colored substance is dried for 2 days at room temperature in a high vacuum.

The product has a nickel content of 5.7%, a chlorine content of 3.6% and a phosphorus content of 3.5%, in agreement with the presence of approximately 1 mmol/g in the methylene cyclopentadiene nickel triphenylphosphine chloride (--CH.sub.2 C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Ni(P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3)Cl)-groups covalently bound to the polystyrene structure.

3 g of polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer substituted with 1.7 mmol/g methylene cyclopentadiene (--CH.sub.2 C.sub.5 H.sub.5) groups following Example 1 are suspended in tetrahydrofuran, and 14 ml of a 1.6 molar solution of n-butanol-lithium in hexane are added and stirred for 2 days at room temperature. The resin is filtered out, washed several times in dry benzene, and finally suspended in a solution of 1.8 g Pt(CO).sub.2 Cl.sub.2 in 40 ml benzene. The suspension is stirred for one day at room temperature and heated for 4 hours at 70.degree. C. Afterward the resin is filtered out, washed several times with benzene and dried in a high vacuum.

The product thus obtained has a platinum content of 17.7% and a chlorine content of 3.2%; in the infrared spectrum it shows a strong CO band at 2050 cm.sup.-1, corresponding to the presence of approximately 1 mmol/g in the methylenecyclopentadienplatinumcarbonyl chloride (CH.sub.2 C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Pt(CO)Cl) groups covalently bound to the polystyrene carrier material.

4 g of a polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer, substituted with 1.7 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.5) groups, following Example 1, are suspended in 50 ml tetrahydrofuran and, as described in Example 2, transferred to the lithium derivative. The very air-sensitive resin is suspended in 60 ml of a 0.25 molar solution of (NiC.sub.3 H.sub.5 Br).sub.2 in benzene, stirred for 20 hours at room temperature and finally heated for 1/2 hour at 40.degree. C. After cooling, it is filtered at room temperature and washed several times with tetrahydrofuran until the filtrate is colorless.

The violet resin thus obtained, substituted with methylenecyclopentadiene nickelallyl, is suspended in tetrahydrofuran and stirred for 15 hours under 30 mbar of pure NO gas at room temperature. The substance is filtered, washed several times with tetrahydrofuran, and then dried for 2 days at room temperature in a high vacuum.

The product has a nickel content of 6.2% and shows in the infrared spectrum at 1800 cm.sup.-1 the band typical of methylenecyclopentadiene nickelnitrosyl (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 NiNO) substituted polystyrene.

6 g of a cyclopentadiene diethoethoxymethylsilyl-substituted silicagel obtained according to Example 6 are placed together with 1 g Ru.sub.3 (CO).sub.12 in benzene in air-free condition for 4 days at reflux temperature. After cooling, the substance is filtered out and washed several times with benzene, until the filtrate is colorless. Then it is washed twice with ether and dried for 2 days in a high vacuum.

The polymer material contains 3.7% ruthenium and shows two bands at 1970 and 2020 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum, as is characteristic for a covalent silica gel with silycyclopentadiene rutheniumdicarbonylhydride (--Si--C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Ru((CO).sub.2 H) groups.

2 g of a cross-linked polystyrene, substituted with approximately 0.35 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene chromium tricarbonylhydride (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Cr(CO).sub.3 H) groups, obtained following Example 2, are stirred for 12 hours in 25 ml of a dioxane-water (1:1) mixture in an atmosphere of pure NO gas at room temperature. Filtering follows, and the resin is dried in a vacuum at room temperature. The product reveals IR bands at 2020 and 1945, as well as at 1705 cm.sup.-1, as is typical for a polystyrene derivative substituted with methylenecyclopentadiene chromium dicarbonylnitrosyl (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Cr(CO).sub.2 NO) groups.

5.3 g of a polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer as obtained according to Example 1, substituted with 1.8 mmol/g --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.5 groups and transferred to the lithium derivative following Example 2, are stirred at room temperature with 4.4 g CrCl.sub.3.3THF in tetrahydrofuran (THF) for 3 days. The resin is filtered out and extracted in a soxhlet's apparatus with THF for 12 hours. The blue-green material is dried in a vacuum at room temperature for 2 days. It contains 0.7 mmol/g chromium and 1.47 mmol/g chlorine, in agreement with the presence of approximately 0.7 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene chromic dichloride (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 CrCl.sub.2) groups covalently bound to the polymer carrier material.

0.8 g of the polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer obtained following Example 18, substituted with approximately 0.7 mmol/g --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 CrCl.sub.2 groups, are stirred in 20 ml dry tetrahydrofuran in an atmosphere of pure NO gas for 12 hours at room temperature. After filtering and drying in a vacuum at room temperature, a yellow-green material is obtained, whose content of 0.7 mmol/g chromium and 0.7 mmol/g chlorine, and whose IR-spectrum with NO-absorptions at 1700 and 1800 cm.sup.-1 reveal that a polystyrene derivative, substituted with methylenecyclopentadiene chromic dinitrosylchloride (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Cr(NO).sub.2 Cl) groups, is present.

2.5 g of a polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer as obtained following Example 18, substituted with approximately 0.35 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene chromic dichloride (--CH.sub.2 C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Cl.sub.2) groups, are suspended under air-free conditions in 25 ml dry THF, displaced with 10 ml of a 2 molar solution of trimethylphosphite as well as with 1.0 g LiBH.sub.4, and then stirred for 12 hours at room temperature. It is then filtered, and the resin is washed twice under air-free conditions, each time with 10 ml dry THF, and dried in a vacuum for 2 days at room temperature.

The product contains approximately 1.5% (0.35 mmol/g) chromium and approximately 3.0% (1.0 mmol/g) phosphorus, and represents accordingly a polystyrene derivative substituted with approximately 0.35 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene chromic tris(trimethylenephosphite)hydride (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Cr(P(OCH.sub.3).sub.3).sub.3 H) groups.

1.5 g of the material obtained in Example 20 are stirred in 20 ml toluene in an atmosphere of CO-gas for 20 hours, filtered out, and dried in a vacuum at room temperature. The product now contains, with an unchanged chromium content, only 2.0% phosphorus; this and a CO-absorption at 1840 cm.sup.-1 in the IR-spectrum demonstrate that a polystyrene derivative, with approximately 0.35 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene chromic bis(trimethylenephophite)carbonylhydride (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Cr(P(OCH.sub.3).sub.3).sub.2 (CO)H) groups, is present.

1.0 g of the macroreticular polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer, obtained following Example 20, substituted with approximately 0.35 mmol/g --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Cr(P(OCH.sub.3).sub.3).sub.3 H groups, are suspended in air-free conditions in 25 mml dry THF and stirred for 12 hours at room temperature in an atmosphere of pure NO gas. Then it is filtered, and the resin is dried for 2 days in a vacuum at room temperature. A content of approxmately 1.5% chromium and approximately 2.0% phosphorus, as well as a NO-absorption at 1625 cm.sup.-1, reveal that the product contains approximately 0.35 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene chromium bis(trimethylenephosphite) nitrosyl (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Cr(P(OCH.sub.3).sub.3).sub.2 NO) groups covalently bound to the polymer carried material.

1.5 g of a macroreticular polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer, obtained following Example 1, substituted with approximately 0.75 mmol/g --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Co(CO).sub.2 groups, are suspended under air-free conditions in 20 ml benzene, 300 mg SnCl.sub.4 are added, and the mixture is stirred for 12 hours at room temperature. It is then filtered, and the resin is washed out with benzene, until the filtrate is chlorine-free, and dried for 3 days in a vacuum at room temperature.

The product shows a cobalt content of approximately 4.2% (0.72 mmol/g), a tin content of approximately 8.5% (0.73 mmol/g), and a Cl content of approximately 10% (2.8 mmol/g). This and a CO-absorption at 2080 cm.sup.-1 in the IR-spectrum show that the product contains approximately 0.7 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene cobalt carbonyl trichlorostannic chloride (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Co(CO)(Cl)SnCl.sub.3) groups, covalently bound to the polymer carrier material.

1.8 g of a macroreticular polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer, substituted with 0.61 mmol/g --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 W(CO).sub.3.sup.- Li.sup.+ groups, obtained following the method given in Example 2, without, however, treating with acetic acid, are needed in THF-suspension under air-free conditions with a solution of 280 mg SnCl.sub.4 in 10 ml tetrahydrofuran (THF) and stirred for 16 hours at room temperature. Then the resin is filtered out, washed several times with dry THF, until the filtrate is chloride-free, and dried in a high vacuum for 3 days at room temperature.

The product contains approximately 11% (0.6 mmol/g) tungsten, approximately 7.5% (0.62 mmol/g) tin, and approximately 6.5% (1.84 mmol/g) chlorine. This and two CO-bands at 2045 and 1950 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum allow the compound to be designated as a polystyrene derivative substituted with approximately 0.6 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene tungsten tricarbonyl stannic trichloride (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 W(CO).sub.3 SnCl.sub.3) groups.

From a polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer substituted with 1.8 mmol/g --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.5 groups, obtained following Example 1, 2.0 g are suspended in 50 ml tetrahydrofuran (THF), and, as described in Example 2, transferred to the lithium derivative, filtered out, and washed with toluene under air-free conditions until a neutral reaction of the filtrate occurs. The resin obtained in this manner is suspended in 30 ml toluene, cooled to approximately -70.degree. C., and to this suspension is slowly added a solution of 650 mg bis(allylpalladiumchloride) in 15 ml toluene. This reactive mixture is first stirred for 2 hours at -70.degree. C. and then slowly warmed while stirring to room temperature. After a further 8 hours the resin is filtered out, washed several times with toluene under air-free conditions, until the filtrate no longer contains any chloride and palladium, dried for 2 days at room temperature in a vacuum, and preserved under air-free conditions.

0.8 g of the polymer thus obtained, substituted with --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 PdC.sub.3 H.sub.5 groups, are suspended under air-free conditions in 15 ml toluene and stirred in an atmosphere of pure NO gas for 16 hours at room temperature. Then the resin is filtered out, washed twice with toluene, and dried for 2 days in a vacuum at room temperature.

The product contains 4.8% palladium and is designated by a NO-band at 1760 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum as a polystyrene derivative, substituted with 0.45 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene palladiumnitrosyl (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 PdNO) groups.

25 g of a macroporous polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer are stirred into 100 ml nitrobenzene for 16 hours. Then a solution of 3.6 ml acetylchloride and 6.7 g aluminium trichloride is added to 80 ml nitrobenzene, stirred 3 hours at 55.degree. C. and then a further 3 hours at room temperature. The resin is filtered out, stirred over night in a 1:1 mixture of methanol and dioxane, then washed several times in this mixture until the filtrate is free of chloride, and dried for 3 days at room temperature in a vacuum. The product is a polystyrene derivative substituted with approximately 1.5 mmol/g CH.sub.3 CO groups.

This resin is added under air-free conditions to a solution of 130 mmol cyclopentadiene-magnesiumbromide in 100 ml toluene, stirred slowly for 8 hours at 105.degree. C., and left standing for a further 15 hours at room temperature. To form a reactive mixture, a solution of 10 g NH.sub.4 Cl in 50 ml dioxane and 40 ml water, cooled with ice, is added in drops and stirred for 45 minutes. After adding a mixture of 20 ml aqueous, 32% hydrochloric acid and 50 ml dioxane, 4 further hours of stirring at room temperature follow. The mixture is then filtered, and the resin is washed first with a 1 molar aqueous hydrochloric acid, then with a 1:1 mixture of dioxane and water until the filtrate is free of chloride, and finally 3 more times with tetrahydrofuran. The product, a polystyrene derivative substituted with 1-methyl-fulvenyl-1 groups, is dried for 18 hours at room temperature in a vacuum.

3 g of the resin thus obtained are suspended in 20 ml tetrahydrofuran and reacted under air-free conditions with 10 ml of a 1.6 molar solution of methyllithium in diethylether and stirred slowly at room temperature for 2 days. The product is filtered out under air-free conditions and washed with dry THF 4 times. Then 20 ml of a 2 molar solution of acetic acid in a 1:1 mixture of dioxane and water are added, and the reactive mixture is left standing for 16 hours. The product is washed several times with a 1:1 mixture of dioxane and water, until the filtrate is chloride-free, washed again with tetrahydrofuran, and dried for 3 days in a vacuum at room temperature.

2.8 g of the resin thus added, substituted with --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 C.sub.5 H.sub.5 groups, are suspended in 30 ml toluene, reacted under air-free conditions with 2.5 ml iron pentacarbonyl, and held for 2 days at reflux temperature. It is then filtered, and the resin is washed with toluene under air-free conditions until the filtrate is colorless, and is dried for 2 days in a vacuum at room temperature. The product contains 2.5% iron and shows the CO-bands at 2050 and 1950 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum, which are characteristic for polystyrene substituted with --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Fe(CO).sub.2 H.

5 g of the resin with acetyl groups obtained following Example 26 are further treated as in Example 26, but using t-butylcyclopentadiene magnesiumbromide instead of cyclopentadiene magnesiumbromide. The product thus obtained, which has an iron content of 1.8% and shows characteristic CO-bands at 2040 and 1945 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum, contains dimethylmethylene-t-butylcyclopentadiene ironcarbonylhydride (--C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 C.sub.5 H.sub.3 (C.sub.4 H.sub.9)Fe(CO.sub.2 H) groups covalently bound to the polymer carrier material.

3 g of the polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer, substituted with 1-methyl-fulvenyl-1 groups, obtained following Example 26 are suspended in 10 ml tetrahydrofuran. Under air-free conditions a solution of 2.2 g dicyclopentadienemagnesium in 15 ml THF is added. The reactive mixture is held for 3 days at reflux temperature. Then the resin is filtered out under air-free conditions, washed with tetrahydrofuran until the filtrate reacts neutrally, and treated with 20 ml of 2 molar solution of hydrochloric acid in a 1:1 mixture of dioxane and water. The resin is washed under air-free conditions with a 1:1 mixture of dioxane and water. The resin is washed under air-free conditions with a 1:1 mixture of dioxane and water until the filtrate is acid-free, washed 2 more times with THF, and dried for 3 days in a vacuum at room temperature.

The product is suspended in 30 ml toluene, treated under air-free conditions with 4.5 ml ironpentacarbonyl, and held for 2 days at reflux temperature. Then it is filtered, and the resin is washed under air-free conditions with toluene until the filtrate is colorless and dried for 2 days at room temperature in a vacuum. The product contains 3.8% iron and shows terminal CO-bands at 2040, 1990 and 1950 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum, as well as bridge-CO-bands at 1780 cm.sup.-1, as they are characteristic for binuclear --C(CH.sub.3)(C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Fe(CO).sub.2).sub.2 groups covalently bound to the polymer.

2.5 g of compound 1 are stirred with 7 g cyclopentadienthallium, as shown in the equation, ##STR1## in 55 ml tetrahydrofuran at room temperature for 3 days under air-free conditions. The precipitated thalliumchloride is then filtered out and washed 2 times with 15-20 ml tetrahydrofuran. 9.5 g di-iron enneacarbonyl are added to the combined filtrate- and wash-solution. The reactive mixture is held under air-free conditions for 24 hours at reflux temperature. It is then filtered, and the filtrate is evaporated until dry. ##STR2## The residue, which consists of Compound II, is mixed in 75 ml toluene, 15 g of a macroporous silica gel, previously activated with sodium hydroxide, is added, and the reactive mixture is boiled under air-free conditions for 48 hours at reflux. It is then filtered, and the red-brown silica gel is extracted with toluene under air-free conditions in a soxhlet's apparatus until the eluate is colorless.

The product is dried in a vacuum for 3 days at room temperature and preserved under air-free conditions. It contains 4.8% iron and shows terminal CO-bands at 2050, 2000, and 1960 cm.sup.-1 and bridge-CO-bands at 1775 cm.sup.-1 in the infrared spectrum, as they are characteristic for a silica gel covalently bound with binuclear bis(cyclopentadiene irondicarbonyl) silyl (>Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.4 Fe(CO).sub.2).sub.2) groups.

A practically identical product as that of Example 29, with an iron content of 4.5% and with the same infrared bands, characteristic for binuclear bis(cyclopentadiene irondicarbonyl)silyl groups, is obtained when, instead of Compound II mentioned in Example 29, Compound III is used and is treated in the manner given in Example 29. ##STR3##

4 g of Compound IV are stirred with 16 g cyclopentadienethallium, corresponding to the equation ##STR4## in 80 ml tetrahydrofuran under air-free conditions for 3 days at 45.degree. C. The precipitated thalliumchloride is then filtered out and washed 2 times with 20 ml tetrahydrofuran. The combined filtrate- and wash-solutions are evaporated in a vacuum until dry. The residue is mixed in 100 ml methylenechloride and displaced with 18.5 g dicobaltoctacarbonyl. The reactive mixture is boiled at reflux under air-free conditions for 4 days. After cooling, it is filtered and the filtrate is evaporated in a vacuum until dry. The residue is mixed in 110 ml toluene and held under air-free conditions for 2 days at reflux temperature. 15 g of a macroporous silica gel, previously activated with sodium hydroxide, is then added, and the reactive mixture is boiled for another 3 days at reflux under air-free conditions. It is then filtered. The blue-black silica gel is extracted with toluene in a soxhlet's apparatus under air-free conditions until the eluate is colorless.

The product is dried for 3 days in a vacuum at room temperature. It contains 3.7% cobalt and reveals bridge-CO-bands in the infrared spectrum at 1760 and 1670 cm.sup.-1, as they are characteristic for a silica gel substituted with trinuclear tris(cyclopentadiene cobalt-carbonyl)silyl-(--Si(C.sub.5 H.sub.4 CoCO).sub.3) groups.

75 mg of polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer substituted with 0.28 mmol/g methylenecyclopentadiene tungsten tricarbonylhydride (--CH.sub.2 --C.sub.5 H.sub.4 W(CO).sub.3 H) groups, obtained following Example 3, are diluted under air-free conditions with 2 ml trans-3-heptene. 0.3 ml of a 0.5 molar solution of ethylaluminiumdichloride in chlorobenzene are added with a hypodermic needle, as well as 1.5 ml O.sub.2 gas. The reactive mixture is stirred at room temperature. After 2 hours 0.4 ml of the reactive solution are taken out, diluted with 0.25 ml methanol and analyzed gas-chromatographically. The quantitative evaluation reveals that the reactive mixture contains 42% 3-heptene, 19% 3-hexene, and 24% 3-octene, i.e., that a metathetical olefin dismutation is catalyzed.