Single electron reduction of tetracyanoquinodimethane, TCNQ, and phenazine and two electron reduction of TCNQ by organo-iron electron reservoir complexes

Abstract

cp(C₆Me₆)Fe^I, (1), (cp = C₅H₅) reacts with one equivalent of phenazine and tetracyanoquinodimethane, TCNQ, to give the single electron transfer salts cp(C₆Me₆)Fe⁺, phenazine^–, (2), and cp(C₆Me₆)Fe⁺, TCNQ^–, (3), whereas addition of TCNQ to 2 equivalents of (1) or cp(PrⁱPh)Fe^I gives the crystalline salts {cp(arene)Fe⁺}₂ TCNQ^2–, (4) and (5); (C₆Me₆)₂Fe⁰, (7), also reacts with one equivalent of these acceptors to give (C₆Me₆)₂Fe⁺, phenazine^–, (8) and (C₆Me₆)₂Fe⁺ TCNQ^–, (9).