Complexes of monocationic Group 13 elements with pentaphospha- and pentaarsaferrocene.

Reactions of the sandwich complexes [Cp*Fe(η(5)-E5)] (Cp*=η(5)-C5Me5; E=P (1), As (2)) with the monovalent Group 13 metals Tl(+), In(+), and Ga(+) containing the weakly coordinating anion [TEF] ([TEF]=[Al{OC(CF3)3}4](-)) are described. Here, the one-dimensional coordination polymers [M(μ,η(5):η(1 -E5 FeCp*)3]n [TEF]n (E=P, M=Tl (3 a), In (3 b), Ga (3 c); E=As, M=Tl (4 a), In (4 b)) are obtained as sole products in good yields. All products were analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing a similar assembly of the products with η(5)-bound E5 ligands and very weak σ-interactions between one P or As atom of the ring to the neighbored Group 13 metal cation. By exchanging the [TEF] anion of 4 a for the larger [FAl] anion ([FAl]=[FAl{OC6F10(C6F5)}3](-)), the coordination compound [Tl{(η(5)-As5)FeCp*}3][FAl] (5) without any σ-interactions of the As5-ring is obtained. All products are readily soluble in CH2 Cl2 and exhibit a dynamic coordination behavior in solution, which is supported by NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS spectrometry as well as by osmometric molecular-weight determination. For a better understanding of the proceeding equilibrium DFT calculations of the cationic complexes were performed for the gas phase and in solution. Furthermore, the (31)P{(1)H} magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra of 3 a-c are presented and the first crystal structure of the starting material 2 was determined.