Structure and vibrational spectra of dicyclopentadienylzinc. A DFT study

The quantum-chemical DFT calculations of the Cp₂Zn structure confirm the conclusion made earlier from the vibrational spectra that the sandwich structure (⁵-C₅H₅)₂Zn (A) is not energetically favorable and more favorable are the close in energy -structure (⁵-C₅H₅)(¹-C₅H₅)Zn (B) and -structure (¹-C₅H₅)₂Zn (C). The vibrational spectra of structures B and C with the DFT-derived force fields were calculated. A comparison of the calculated spectra of the isolated Cp₂Zn molecules with the experimental data gives no way of deciding between the B and C structures. It is most likely that the molecule is nonrigid and experiences a strong influence from the nearest environment in solution or in the crystalline state.