Reactions of the terminal rhenium acetylide complex Re(η5-C5H5)(NO)(PPh3)(CCH) and butyllithium; generation, alkylation and stannylation of lithiocarbide complexes of the formula Re(η5-C5H4)(NO)(PPh3)(CCLi)(X = H, Li)

The title reaction gives, depending upon stoichiometry and conditions, Re(η5-C5H5)(NO)(PPh3)(CCLi) and Re(η5-C5H4Li)(NO)(PPh3)(CCLi); the first transition metal–alkali metal carbide complexes which are in turn derivatized by carbon and metal electrophiles.