Synthesis and Characterization of Redox-Active Mononuclear Fe(κ2-dppe)(η5-C5Me5)-Terminated π-Conjugated Wires
Résumé
Several new redox-active Fe(κ2-dppe)(η5-C5Me5) arylacetylide complexes featuring pendant ethynyl (Fe(κ2-dppe)(η5-C5Me5)[{C≡C(1,4-C6H4)}nC≡CH] (1b-d; n = 1-3), Fe(κ2-dppe)(η5-C5Me5)[C≡C(1,3-C6H4)C≡CH] (2)) or ethenyl (Fe(κ2-dppe)(η5-C5Me5)[C≡C(1,4-C6H4)CH═CH2] (3)) groups have been synthesized and characterized under their Fe(II) and Fe(III) states. In contrast to the known ethynyl Fe(III) complex [Fe(κ2-dppe)(η5-C5Me5)(C≡CH)][PF6] (1a[PF6]), most of the new Fe(III) derivatives turned out to be kinetically stable in solution. A consistent picture of the electronic structure of the latter complexes in both redox states emerged from experimental data and DFT calculations. This study revealed that beyond the first 1,4-phenylene ring, modification or extension of the carbon-rich linker using (4-phenylene)ethynylene spacers will have only a minor influence on their electronic properties in their ground state, while still maintaining some (weak) electronic interaction along the carbon-rich backbone.