Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of novel ferrocenyl multisulfur compounds

Abstract

Novel compounds and metal complexes containing both ferrocene and sulfur-based ligands have been prepared and their properties investigated. The reaction of [NEt₄]₂[Zn(C₃S₅)₂] with (Chloromethyl)ferrocene led to the compound 4,5-bis(ferrocenylmethylsulfanyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-thione. Similarly, the reaction of the salt Cs₂[C₃OS₄], led to the ketone analogue, 4,5-bis(ferrocenylmethylsulfanyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-one. The latter has been used to prepare a monoanionic tetraferrocenyl nickel dithiolene complex which shows an intense NIR absorption at 1250 nm recorded in CH₂Cl₂. Intermolecular coupling of the thione gave the novel tetra(ferrocenylmethylsulfanyl)tetrathiafulvalene electrochemical investigations of which revealed characteristic ttf and ferrocenyl redox processes. The single-crystal structure of this compound has also been determined.