Metal atom chemistry as a direct pathway to access homoleptic mono- and dinuclear isonitrile compounds of the iron triad Fe, Co, and Ni.

The co-condensation of atomic metal vapors of iron, nickel and cobalt with toluene, followed by a direct reaction with isonitriles, between -30 °C and -78 °C, yields stable homoleptic metal isonitrile complexes. Complexes of Fe, Ni, and Co with DippNC (Dipp = 2,6-(CH(CH3)2)2C6H3) and 4-fluorophenylisonitrile (4-FPI) are obtained in high yields using this method. This method offers an efficient and straightforward approach compared to previously reported syntheses.