Syntheses, crystal structures and electrochemical studies of bi- and trimetallic conjugated ferrocene-based complexes

Abstract

New bisferrocenyl pyridine, nitrile and nitro terminated compounds have been obtained by Wittig reactions. The coordination capabilities of the nitrile and pyridine compounds have been proved by coordination to M(CO)₅ fragments, M being Cr, Mo or W. The electrochemical properties of the compounds have been studied by means of cyclic voltammetry, showing an effective electronic coupling between the two ferrocenyl fragments. The crystal structures of several of the described complexes are reported, showing that, in all cases, the syn conformation on the 1,1′ bis-substituted ferrocene is preferred over the anti one.