Electrochemistry of di-tert-butylphosphinopentaphenylferrocene (Q-phos) and derivatives

The oxidative electrochemistry of 1-di-tert-butylphosphino-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-pentaphenylferrocene (Q-phos), 1-di-tert-butylphosphino-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-penta(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)ferrocene (Q-phos-CF3), 1-di-tert-butylphosphino-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-penta(4-methoxyphenyl)ferrocene (Q-phos-OMe) and 1-di-tert-butylphosphino-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-penta(4-methylphenyl)ferrocene (Q-phos-Me) was explored. All of the compounds undergo a reversible oxidation, and the formal potentials are sensitive to the R groups on the phenyl rings.