A Novel Route to the 5-[2-(Diphenylphosphanyl)ethyl]-1,2,3,4-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl Ligand – Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [η5:η1-C5(CH3)4CH2CH2PPh2]ZrCl3·THF

Abstract

The five-step synthesis of the first transition metal complex with the C5(CH3)4CH2CH2PPh2 ligand [η5:η1-C5(CH3)4CH2CH2PPh2]ZrCl3·THF (11), starting from the known compound [2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]tetramethylcyclopentadiene (4) via 4,5,6,7-tetramethylspiro[2,4]hepta-4,6-diene (7), is reported. Lithium cyclopentadienide LiC5(CH3)4CH2CH2PPh2 (9), silylated cyclopentadiene (CH3)3SiC5(CH3)4CH2CH2PPh2 (10) and cyclopentadiene HC5(CH3)4CH2CH2PPh2 (12) were isolated and characterised as pure substances. The crystal structure of the zirconium complex 11 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis.