Bulky cyclopentadienyl ligands

In the area of organometallic chemistry, a bulky cyclopentadienyl ligand is jargon for a ligand of the type C
₅H
_5−nR⁻
_n where R is a branched alkyl and n = 3 or 4. Representative examples are the tetraisopropyl derivative C
₅HⁱPr⁻
₄ and the tris(tert-butyl) derivative 1,2,4-C
₅H
₂^tBu⁻
₃. These ligands are so large that their complexes behave differently from the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl analogues. Because they cannot closely approach the metal, these bulky ligands stabilize high spin complexes, such as (C₅H₂^tBu₃)₂Fe₂I₂. These large ligands stabilize highly unsaturated derivatives such as (C₅H₂^tBu₃)₂Fe₂N₂.

Structure of ^tBu₃C₅H₃, a prototypical bulky cyclopentadiene.

Synthesis and reactions

Structure of (^tBu₃C₅H₂)₂Fe₂N₂.

The (tert-butyl)cyclopentadiene is prepared by alkylation of cyclopentadiene with tert-butyl bromide in the presence of sodium hydride and dibenzo-18-crown-6.^[1] The intermediate in this synthesis is di-tert-butylcyclopentadiene. This compound is conveniently prepared by alkylation of cyclobutadiene with tert-butyl bromide under phase-transfer conditions.^[2][1]

Illustrative of the unusual complexes made possible with these bulky ligands is molecular iron nitrido complex (^tBu₃C₅H₂)₂Fe₂N₂.^[3] In contrast to (C₅Me₅)₂Ir₂Cl₄, (^tBu₃C₅H₂)IrCl₂ is monomeric.^[4]