Conformational analysis of [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(PPh3)CH2OMe]: solvent dependence of conformer populations

Abstract

In polar solvents the complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(PPh₃)CH₂OMe] adopts, for steric and dipolar reasons, a conformation which places the methoxy group between the cyclopentadienyl and CO ligands, whereas in a non-polar solvent at low temperature dipolar effects dominate over steric effects and the preferred conformation places the methoxy group antiperiplanar to the CO ligand between the cyclopentadienyl and PPh₃ ligands.