1,1′-Bis(trimethylsilylseleno)ferrocene in cluster synthesis: a redox active surface on a copper–selenide coreElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: cyclic voltammograms for 1 and 2, 1H NMR spectrum for 1. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b0/b010023o/Dedicated to Dr Arthur J. Carty on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

Abstract

1,1′-Bis(trimethylsilylseleno)ferrocene 1 has been prepared from the reaction of [1,1′-Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄SeLi)₂ (TMEDA)] and ClSiMe₃ in good yield. The reactive silyl groups on 1 are used as a driving force for the synthesis of [Cu₈{Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄Se) ₂}₄(PPh₂Et)₄] 2, a cluster possessing four peripheral ferrocenyl moieties.