Cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer

Structure

In solution, Cp2Fe2(CO)4 can be considered a dimeric half-sandwich complex. It exists in three isomeric forms: cis, trans, and an unbridged, open form. These isomers are distinguished by the position of the ligands. The cis and trans isomers differ in the relative position of C5H5 (Cp) ligands. The cis and trans isomers have the formulation [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(μ-CO)]2, that is, two CO ligands are terminal whereas the other two CO ligands bridge between the iron atoms. The cis and trans isomers interconvert via the open isomer, which has no bridging ligands between iron atoms. Instead, it is formulated as (η5-C5H5)(OC)2Fe−Fe(CO)2(η5-C5H5) — the metals are held together by an iron–iron bond. At equilibrium, the cis and trans isomers are predominant.

:[[File:Fp2-isomerization.png|frameless|440x440px]]

In addition, the terminal and bridging carbonyls are known to undergo exchange: the trans isomer can undergo bridging–terminal CO ligand exchange through the open isomer, or through a twisting motion without going through the open form. In contrast, the bridging and terminal CO ligands of the cis isomer can only exchange via the open isomer.

In solution, the cis, trans, and open isomers interconvert rapidly at room temperature, making the molecular structure fluxional. The fluxional process for cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer is faster than the NMR time scale, so that only an averaged, single Cp signal is observed in the 1H NMR spectrum at 25 °C. Likewise, the 13C NMR spectrum exhibits one sharp CO signal above −10 °C, while the Cp signal sharpens to one peak above 60 °C. NMR studies indicate that the cis isomer is slightly more abundant than the trans isomer at room temperature, while the amount of the open form is small. The fluxional process is not fast enough to produce averaging in the IR spectrum. Thus, three absorptions are seen for each isomer. The bridging CO ligands appear at around 1780 cm−1 whereas the terminal CO ligands are observed at around 1980 cm−1. The averaged structure of these isomers of Cp2Fe2(CO)4 results in a dipole moment of 3.1 D in benzene.

The solid-state molecular structure of both cis and trans isomers have been analyzed by X-ray and neutron diffraction. The Fe–Fe separation and the Fe–C bond lengths are the same in the Fe2C2 rhomboids, an exactly planar Fe2C2 four-membered ring in the trans isomer versus a folded rhomboid in cis with an angle of 164°, and significant distortions in the Cp ring of the trans isomer reflecting different Cp orbital populations. Although older textbooks show the two iron atoms bonded to each other, theoretical analyses indicate the absence of a direct Fe–Fe bond. This view is consistent with computations and X-ray crystallographic data that indicate a lack of significant electron density between the iron atoms. However, Labinger offers a dissenting view, based primarily on chemical reactivity and spectroscopic data, arguing that electron density is not necessarily the best indication of the presence of a chemical bond. Moreover, without an Fe–Fe bond, the bridging carbonyls must be formally treated as an μ-X2 ligand and μ-L ligand in order for the iron centers to satisfy the 18-electron rule. This formalism is argued to give misleading implications with respect to the chemical and spectroscopic behavior of the carbonyl groups.

Synthesis

Cp2Fe2(CO)4 was first prepared in 1955 using the same method employed today: the reaction of iron pentacarbonyl and dicyclopentadiene. :2 Fe(CO)5 + C10H12 → (η5-C5H5)2Fe2(CO)4 + 6 CO + H2 In this preparation, dicyclopentadiene cracks to give cyclopentadiene, which reacts with Fe(CO)5 with loss of CO. Thereafter, the pathways for the photochemical and thermal routes differ subtly but both entail formation of a hydride intermediate. The method is used in the teaching laboratory.

Reactions

Although of no major commercial value, Fp2 was a workhorse in organometallic chemistry because it is inexpensive and FpX derivatives are rugged (X = halide, organyl).

"Fp⁻" (FpNa and FpK)

Reductive cleavage of [CpFe(CO)2]2 produces alkali metal derivatives. A typical reductant is sodium metal or sodium amalgam; NaK alloy, potassium graphite (KC8), and alkali metal trialkylborohydrides. [CpFe(CO)2]Na is readily alkylated, acylated, or metalated by treatment with an appropriate electrophile. It is an excellent SN2 nucleophile, being one to two orders of magnitude more nucleophilic than thiophenolate, PhS– when reacted with primary and secondary alkyl bromides. :[CpFe(CO)2]2 + 2 Na → 2 CpFe(CO)2Na :[CpFe(CO)2]2 + 2 KBH(C2H5)3 → 2 CpFe(CO)2K + H2 + 2 B(C2H5)3 Treatment of NaFp with an methyl iodide produces the methyl derivative: :

Fp2 can also be cleaved electrochemically.

FpX (X = Cl, Br, I)

Halogens oxidatively cleave [CpFe(CO)2]2 to give the Fe(II) species FpX (X = Cl, Br, I):

:[CpFe(CO)2]2 + X2 → 2 CpFe(CO)2X One example is cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl iodide.

Fp(''η''²-alkene)⁺, Fp(''η''²-alkyne)⁺ and other "Fp⁺"

In the presence of halide anion acceptors such as aluminium bromide or silver tetrafluoroborate, FpX compounds (X = halide) react with alkenes, alkynes, or neutral labile ligands (such as ethers and nitriles) to afford Fp+ complexes. In another approach, salts of [Fp(isobutene)]+ are readily obtained by reaction of NaFp with methallyl chloride followed by protonolysis. This complex is a convenient and general precursor to other cationic Fp–alkene and Fp–alkyne complexes. The exchange process is facilitated by the loss of gaseous and bulky isobutene. Generally, less substituted alkenes bind more strongly and can displace more hindered alkene ligands. Alkene and alkyne complexes can also be prepared by heating a cationic ether or aqua complex, for example , with the alkene or alkyne. complexes can also be prepared by treatment of FpMe with HBF4·Et2O in CH2Cl2 at −78 °C, followed by addition of L.

:[[File:Fp(isobutylene)cation.png|class=skin-invert-image|330 px]] Alkene–Fp complexes can also be prepared from Fp anion indirectly. Thus, hydride abstraction from Fp–alkyl compounds using triphenylmethyl hexafluorophosphate affords [Fp(α-alkene)]+ complexes. :FpNa + RCH2CH2I → FpCH2CH2R + NaI :FpCH2CH2R + Ph3CPF6 → + Ph3CH Reaction of NaFp with an epoxide followed by acid-promoted dehydration also affords alkene complexes. Fp(alkene)+ are stable with respect to bromination, hydrogenation, and acetoxymercuration, but the alkene is easily released with sodium iodide in acetone or by warming with acetonitrile.

:[[File:Fp(isobutylene)exchange.png|class=skin-invert-image|580 px]] The alkene ligand in these cations is activated toward attack by nucleophiles, opening the way to a number of carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions. Nucleophilic additions usually occur at the more substituted carbon. This regiochemistry is attributed to the greater positive charge density at this position. The regiocontrol is often modest. The addition of the nucleophile is completely stereoselective, occurring anti to the Fp group. Analogous Fp(alkyne)+ complexes are also reported to undergo nucleophilic addition reactions by various carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen nucleophiles.

:[[File:FpMalonateRxn.png|class=skin-invert-image|330 px|Addition of carbanion to [Fp(alkene)]+.]]

Fp(alkene)+ and Fp(alkyne)+ π-complexes are also quite acidic at the allylic and propargylic positions, respectively, and can be quantitatively deprotonated with amine bases like Et3N to give neutral Fp–allyl and Fp–allenyl σ-complexes (eqn 1, shown for alkene complex).

Fp–allyl and Fp–allenyl react with cationic electrophiles E (such as Me3O+, carbocations, oxocarbenium ions) to generate allylic and propargylic functionalization products, respectively (eqn 2, shown for allyliron). The related complex [CpFe(CO)2(thf)]+[BF4]− (Cp = C5Me5) has been shown to catalyze propargylic, allylic, and allenic C−H functionalization by combining the deprotonation and electrophilic functionalization processes described above with facile exchange of the unsaturated hydrocarbon bound to the cationic iron center.

η2-Allenyl complexes of Fp+ and substituted cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl cations have also been characterized, with X-ray crystallographic analysis showing substantial bending at the central allenic carbon (bond angle

Fp-based cyclopropanation reagents

Fp-based reagents have been developed for cyclopropanations. The key reagent is prepared from FpNa with a thioether and methyl iodide, and has a good shelf-life, in contrast to typical Simmons-Smith intermediates and diazoalkanes.

:FpNa + ClCH2SCH3 → FpCH2SCH3 + NaCl :FpCH2SCH3 + CH3I + NaBF4 → FpCH2S(CH3)2]BF4 + NaI

Use of [FpCH2S(CH3)2]BF4 does not require specialized conditions. : + (Ph)2C=CH2 → 1,1-diphenylcyclopropane + … Iron(III) chloride is added to destroy any byproduct.

Precursors to , like FpCH2OMe which is converted to the iron carbene upon protonation, have also been used as cyclopropanation reagents.

Photochemical reaction

Fp2 exhibits photochemistry. For example, upon UV irradiation at 350 nm, it is reduced by benzylnicotinamide|1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide dimer, also known as (BNA)2. :[[File:1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide dimer.png|class=skin-invert-image|650px]]

References

References

1. (2001). "Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis".
2. (1974). ["Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and mechanism of bridge–terminal carbonyl exchange in di-''µ''-carbonyl-biscarbonyl(''η''-cyclopentadienyl)iron [{(''η''-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂}₂]; ''cd''-di-''µ''-carbonyl-''f''-carbonyl-''ae''-di(''η''-cyclopentadienyl)-''b''-(triethyl-phosphite)di-iron(Fe–Fe) [(''η''-C₅H₅)₂Fe₂(CO)₃P(OEt)₃], and some related complexes"](https://authors.library.caltech.edu/12272/1/HARjcsdt74.pdf). Journal of the Chemical Society: Dalton Transactions.
3. (1999). "Synthesis and Technique in Inorganic Chemistry". University Science Books.
4. (January 1967). "Tautomeric changes in metal carbonyls. I. .pi.-Cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer and .pi.-cyclopentadienyl-ruthenum dicarbonyl dimer". Inorganic Chemistry.
5. (1982). "Comprehensive Organometallic Chemistry". Pergamon Press.
6. (2012). "The occurrence and representation of three-centre two-electron bonds in covalent inorganic compounds". Chemical Communications.
7. Labinger, Jay A.. (2015). "Does cyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl dimer have a metal–metal bond? Who's asking?". Inorganica Chimica Acta.
8. (1955). "Cyclopentadienyl–carbon monoxide and related compounds of some transitional metals". Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry.
9. (1975). "The Chemistry of Metal Carbonyl Anions: III. Sodium-Potassium Alloy: An Efficient Reagent for the Production of Metal Carbonyl Anions". [[Journal of Organometallic Chemistry]].
10. (1988). "Vinylation of Enolates with a Vinyl Cation Equivalent: ''trans''-3-Methyl-2-Vinylcyclohexanone".
11. King, B.. (1970). "Applications of Metal Carbonyl Anions in the Synthesis of Unusual Organometallic Compounds". Accounts of Chemical Research.
12. (1966-11-01). "Organometallic Electrochemistry. VII.1 The Nucleophilicities of Metallic and Metalloidal Anions Derived from Metals of Groups IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII". Journal of the American Chemical Society.
13. (1966). "Organometallic Electrochemistry. V. The Transition Series". [[Journal of the American Chemical Society]].
14. (1966). "Organometallic Electrochemistry. VI. Electrochemical Scission of Metal–Metal Bonds". [[Journal of the American Chemical Society]].
15. Silver, J.. (1993). "Chemistry of Iron". Springer Netherlands.
16. Turnbull, Mark M.. (2001). "Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis".
17. (1995). "Iron, Ruthenium and Osmium". Elsevier Science.
18. (2003). "Iron Lewis Acid [(''η''⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(THF)]⁺ Catalyzed Organic Reactions". Aldrichimica Acta.
19. Pearson, A. J.. (1994). "Iron Compounds in Organic Synthesis". Academic Press.
20. (2001). "Nucleophilic Addition to the ''η''²-Alkyne Ligand in [CpFe(CO)₂(''η''²-R−C⋮C−R)]⁺. Dependence of the Alkenyl Product Stereochemistry on the Basicity of the Nucleophile". Organometallics.
21. (1975). "Chemistry of dicarbonyl .eta.5-cyclopentadienyliron complexes. General syntheses of monosubstituted ''η''²-olefin complexes and of 1-substituted ''η''¹-allyl complexes. Conformational effects on the course of deprotonation of (''η''²-olefin) cations". Journal of the American Chemical Society.
22. (2019). "α-C–H Functionalization of π-Bonds Using Iron Complexes: Catalytic Hydroxyalkylation of Alkynes and Alkenes". Journal of the American Chemical Society.
23. Foxman, Bruce M.. (1975-01-01). "X-Ray molecular structure of dicarbonyl-η5-cyclopentadienyl-(η2-tetramethylallenyl)iron tetrafluoroborate. A sterically crowded allene complex". Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications.
24. (2021-09-22). "Iron-Catalyzed Contrasteric Functionalization of Allenic C(sp 2 )–H Bonds: Synthesis of α-Aminoalkyl 1,1-Disubstituted Allenes". Journal of the American Chemical Society.
25. Mattson. (1992). "Cyclopropanation Using an Iron-Containing Methylene Transfer Reagent: 1,1-Diphenylcyclopropane".
26. Johnson, M. D.. (1982). "Comprehensive Organometallic Chemistry". Elsevier.
27. Wrighton, M.. (1974). "Photochemistry of Metal Carbonyls". [[Chemical Reviews]].
28. (2001). "Photochemical Generation of Cyclopentadienyliron Dicarbonyl Anion by a Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Dimer Analogue". [[Inorganic Chemistry (journal).