in solid byproducts: methane, acetone; thermolysis of Mn-complex in solid state at -30°C; monitoring by mass spectroscopy, chromy. of residue with toluene and THF (SiO2, -50°C);

in toluene byproducts: acetone; addn. of PMe3 to Mn-complex in toluene at -78°C, warming from -78°C to 0°C, colour changes from light brown to yellow; evapn. of acetone (-60°C, vacuo), fractionated condensation, dissolution of residue in toluene, chromy. (SiO2, toluene, -60°C), elution of C5H5Mn(CO)3 with toluene, elution (Et2O) yields orangeyellow band, evapn., cooling (-20°C);