New reagents for the synthesis of a series of ferrocenoyl functionalized copper and silver chalcogenolate complexes

Abstract

A series of silylated ferrocenoyl chalcogenide reagents, FcC(O)ESiMe₃ (E = S, Se, Te; Fc = ferrocene), can be prepared in very good yield from FcC(O)Cl and LiESiMe₃. These reagents are used in the preparation of triphenylphosphine-ligated copper and silver ferrocenoyl thiolate and selenolate complexes, [M₄(E{O}CFc)₄(PPh₃)₄], (M = Cu, Ag; E = S, Se) and [Cu₂(μ-Se{O}CFc)₂(PPh₃)₃] from solubilized copper(I) and silver(I) acetate. The structures of these complexes have been determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The driving force for these reactions is the thermodynamically favorable formation and elimination of AcOSiMe₃. The synthesis and characterization of both starting reagents and cluster complexes are discussed.