Synthesis of ortho-diferrocenylbenzene with cobalt clusters as reaction precursors: Crystal structure and electrochemical properties

Five new ortho-diferrocenylbenzene derivatives, 1,2-diferrocenyl-4,5-dimethylbenzene (2), 1,2-diferrocenyl-4,5-diphenylbenzene (3), 1,2-diferrocenyl-4,5-ditrimethylsilylbenzene (4), 1,2-diferrocenyl-3,4,5,6-tetramethylbenzene(5), and 1,2-diferrocenyl-3,4,5,6-tetraphenyl -benzene (6), were synthesized through the cycloaddition reactions of alkynes with the cobalt cluster Co2(CO)6(μ2-alkyne) as reaction precursors, and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR, and MS. The molecular structures of compounds (2–6) were identified using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the electron interactions between two ferrocenyl units of each of the five compounds were investigated using cyclic voltammetric techniques. The results of electrochemical experiment indicated that the charge density of the aryl bridge is the key factor that influences electron communications between two ferrocenyl units.

Graphical abstractWe reported a position-controlled synthetic method of diferrocenylbenzene with cobalt clusters as reaction precursors.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The position-controlled synthesis of ortho-diferrocenylbenzenes was realized. ► The structure of the title ortho-diferrocenylbenzenes were characterized by Single crystal X-ray diffraction. ► The electron communications between two ferrocenyls were discussed.