Electrochemical oxidation of thio-bridged binuclear π-cyclopentadienyl complexes of molybdenum, iron, cobalt, and nickel

Abstract

The species [(cp)M(L)(SR)]₂(R = alkyl or aryl, cp =π-cyclopentadienyl; M = Mo, L = NO; M = Fe, L = CO; M = Co or Ni, L = nothing) have been oxidised voltammetrically and monocationic (all M) and dicationic (M = Fe or Ni) species detected. The E_½ values of the oxidation processes are dependent on M and R. Monocationic iron and nickel complexes, prepared chemically and by electrolysis, have been characterised spectroscopically. Comparison is made with the isoelectronic complexes [(cp)Mn(NO)(SR)]₂, and the possible effects of oxidation on the structures of these molecules are discussed.