ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate in acetone anh. (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 was added portionwise to a stirred soln. of (C8H8)Fe(CO)3 in anh. acetone (after 50 min and 70 min), after 100 min of reaction addn. of H2O, mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2 (4 times), extract was dried (MgSO4), solvent evaporation;; filtration through a short column of silica gel; white crystals with m.p. 54-55°C were obtained;;