benzene

in tetrahydrofuran under N2; soln. of 5mmol NaMn(CO)5 in THF cooled to -78°C, 5.25 mmol (PhO)2CHCOCl added; mixt. warmed up to room temp., then stirred overnight; pptd. NaCl filtered off, solvent removed; residue extd. with petroleum ether; chromy. (silica gel, petroleum ether/ether (10:1));pentane soln. cooled, recrystn. from petroleum ether at -80°C; elem anal.;

T=105°C;