Methane activation by an iron phosphine complex in liquid xenon solution

Irradiation of FeH2(dmpe)2[dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane] in a solution of methane in liquefied xenon at –100 °C affords a mixture of cis-FeH(dmpe)2Me and trans-FeH(dmpe)2Me; the cis and trans, isomers equilibrate photochemically at –100 °C but decompose thermally with elimination of methane at temperatures above ca. 0 °C following solvent exchange with toluene.