The synthesis and structure of a thiobenzyl-functionalized dibenzoferrocene complex

Abstract

3-(Thiobenzyl)indene (2) was prepared from lithium indenide and dibenzyl disulfide. Deprotonation with BuLi/TMEDA in THF and the addition of FeCl2 gave the expected 1 : 1 mixture of rac- and meso-bis(1-thiobenzylindenyl)iron(II) (3). 13C-NMR studies in THF suggest that 3 undergoes a ring-flipping process to interconvert rac- and meso-3. Complex 3 exhibits a reversible cyclic voltammogram with an oxidation potential of –177 mV versus the Fc/Fc+ couple in dichloromethane. Indene (2) and ferrocene (3) were also characterised by X-ray crystallography.