A Bulky m-Terphenyl Cyclopentadienyl Ligand and Its Alkali-Metal Complexes.

The synthesis of the new m-terphenyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand precursor 1-cyclopentadiene-2,6-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)benzene (TerMes CpH) is described. The synthesis proceeds through the reaction of TerMes Li with cobaltocenium iodide, followed by oxidation of the intermediate cobalt(I) species to give the corresponding cyclopentadiene as a mixture of isomers. The preparation and spectroscopic properties of the alkali-metal salts (Li-Cs) is described, as well as structural information obtained by X-ray diffraction studies for the lithium, potassium, and cesium analogues. Crystallographic data demonstrate the ability of these new ligands to act as monoanionic chelates by forming metal complexes with Cp-M-Ar bonding environments.