Metal−Metal Communication through Carborane Cages Supporting Electroactive [η⁵-CpFe(CO)₂] Substituents

Abstract

A family of η5-CpFe(CO)2-substituted closo-carboranes was synthesized and characterized, including cyclic voltammetry measurements. Like the previously reported bimetallic compound 1,12-[η5-CpFe(CO)2]2-1,12-C2B10H10 (8), 1,10-[η5-CpFe(CO)2]2-1,10-C2B8H8 (9) produces two dissimilar and irreversible one-electron oxidations within the same range, suggesting that it also exhibits through-cage electronic communication between iron centers. Structures determined by X-ray diffraction studies are reported for 1-[η5-CpFe(PPh3)(CO)]-1,12-C2B10H11 (5), 1,12-[η5-CpFe(CO)2]2-1,12-C2B10H10 (8), and 1,10-[η5-CpFe(CO)2]2-1,10-C2B8H8 (9).