Heterobimetallic (Ferrocenyl)indenyl Rhodium Complexes. Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Oxidative Activation of [η⁵-(1-Ferrocenyl)indenyl]RhL₂ [L₂ = COD, NBD, (CO)₂]^‖

Abstract

The binuclear [η5-(1-ferrocenyl)indenyl]Rh(NBD) (1), [η5-(1-ferrocenyl)indenyl]Rh(COD) (1a), and [η5-(1-ferrocenyl)indenyl]Rh(CO)2 (2) complexes have been synthesized (NBD = norbornadiene; COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene). The crystal structure determination showed that the iron and rhodium nuclei are disposed in a transoid configuration in 1 probably to avoid steric repulsions. On the contrary, in 2 the metals are in a cisoid configuration due to the presence of stabilizing π-hydrogen bonds between the CO's and the hydrogens of the unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ring. The results of the chemical and electrochemical oxidation of 2 are in favor of the existence of an effective interaction between the two metals