Organo‐metal carbonyl compounds of iron, molybdenum, and manganese as photosensitisers of the anhydride cure of epoxy resins

Compounds of the types [π‐C5H5M(CO)nX] (M = Fe, n = 2; M = Mo, n = 3; X = CH3, CH2C6H5, CH2Si(CH3)3, CH2OCH3, Sn(C6H5)3, SnCl3, HgCl, I), [Mn(CO)5CH3], and [(π‐CH3C5H4)Mn(CO)3] have been examined as catalysts for the cure of epoxy resins under various conditions. It was found that the compounds [π‐C5H5Fe(CO)2R] (R = CH3, CH2C6H5) and [π‐C5H5Mo(CO)3CH3] are active photosensitizing agents for the anhydride cure of certain epoxy resins. The mechanism of the process is discussed.