Synthesis and reactivity of the ferrocene-derived phosphine [Fe(η-C5H5){η-C5H4CH2P(CH2OH)2}]

Abstract

The air-stable compound [Fe(η-C₅H₅){η-C₅H₄CH₂P(CH₂OH)₂}] 1 has been prepared by the reaction of [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(η-C₅H₄CH₂NMe₃)]I with an excess of P(CH₂OH)₃. Compound 1 has been used to produce a range of other new compounds, thus demonstrating its versatility as a starting material; the phosphine oxide [Fe(η-C₅H₅){η-C₅H₄CH₂P(O)(CH₂OH)₂}] 2, phosphine sulfide [Fe(η-C₅H₅){η-C₅H₄CH₂P(S)(CH₂OH)₂}] 3, and other derivatives [Fe(η-C₅H₅){η-C₅H₄CH₂P(CH₂CH₂CN)₂}] 4, [Fe(η-C₅H₅){η-C₅H₄CH₂P(CH₂NEt₂)₂}] 5, [Fe(η-C₅H₅){η-C₅H₄CH₂P(O)(CH₂NEt₂)₂}] 6, [Fe(η-C₅H₅){η-C₅H₄CH₂P(Me)(CH₂OH)₂}]I 7 and [Fe(η-C₅H₅){η-C₅H₄CH₂P(Me)CH₂OH}] 8. Crystal structure determinations for 1, 3 and 7 are reported and the hydrogen bonding of each structure described.