Teaching old tricks to new dogs – rational synthesis of multi-decker complexes featuring cyclo-P5 decks

Abstract

A rational synthetic pathway towards a series of cyclo-P₅-bearing multi-decker complexes was developed. The combination of [Cp*Fe(μ,η^5 : 5-P₅)] (A) with low-valent transition metal cations yields a series of triple-decker complexes [Cp*Fe(μ,η^5 : 5-P₅)MCp′′′][WCA] (M = Cr − Ni; WCA = weakly coordinating anion, Cp′′′ = 1,2,4-^tBu₃C₅H₂). Utilizing the arene complexes [M(C₆R₆)₂][WCA]_n (M = Fe, Co) instead allowed the synthesis of the unprecedented cyclo-P₅-containing quadruple-decker complexes [{Cp*Fe(μ,η^5 : 5-P₅)}₂M][pf]_n (M = Fe, Co).