A new phosphine-functionalised [1]ferrocenophane and its use in the functionalisation of mesoporous silicas

Abstract

The permethylated phosphine-functionalised cyclopentadienyl ligand system, Li₂[Me₂Si(2,3,4-Me₃-5-PPh₂C₅)₂], has been prepared starting from 1,2,3-trimethylcyclopentadiene. This ligand has been employed to prepare the novel bis(diphenyl)phosphine-functionalised silyl-bridged [1]ferrocenophane, rac-Fe[Me₂Si(2,3,4-Me₃-5-PPh₂C₅)₂]. Reaction of rac-Fe[Me₂Si(2,3,4-Me₃-5-PPh₂C₅)₂] with the mesoporous silicas MCM-41, MCM-48, SBA-15 leads to ring opening of the ansa-bridge and the immobilisation of phosphinoferrocenyl units onto the surface of the silicas.