Synthesis of a lithium–cyclopentadienide complex by addition of LiNTf2 to a zwitterionic fulvalene

Abstract

The synthesis of a η⁵-coordinated LiCp complex by simple addition of a Li-salt in benzene is presented. A strongly zwitterionic fulvalene serves as the Cp-precursor. Evidence for the coordination of Li⁺ was obtained by the characterisitic ⁷Li NMR chemical shifts, variable temperature experiments in solution and by X-ray structure analysis in the solid state.