Electrochemical substitution of hydrogen in ferrocene

Interaction of radicals R^. formed in anode decarboxylation of carboxylate anions with the ferricinium cation generated at the same electrode leads to alkylferrocene derivatives. A similar reaction of the ferricinium cation with radicals formed from dibasic acids or their semiesters yields esters of ferrocenyl- containing carboxylic ácids. Monosubstituted ferrocene, particularly those containing electron donor substituents, undergo further substitution to give di- and polysubstituted products. The procedures are described that lead to predominant isolation of either mono- or poly-substituted products.The results of qualitative and quantitative analyses of the polymethylation products show that orienting effects by the substituents are the same for radical substitution in the ferricinium cation and for electrophilic substitution in ferrocene.     

Octakis(ferrocene)-substituted porphyrazines

Metal-free porphyrazine and metal porphyrazinates (M = Mg, Cu, Co or Zn) substituted with eight ferrocene moieties on the periphery through flexible alkylthio-bridges have been synthesised in a multi-step reaction sequence. The new compounds have been characterised by elemental analyses, i.r., ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r., u.v.–vis. and mass spectra. The electrochemical investigation of porphyrazines indicates that all the ferrocene moieties are oxidised at the same potential, confirming the lack of any interaction among ferrocene groups or between ferrocenes and the porphyrazine core.     

Vapor pressure measurements of ferrocene,mono- and 1,1′-di-acetyl ferrocene

By using different techniques the vapor pressure of ferrocene, mono-acetyl ferrocene and 1,1′-di-acetyl ferrocene was measured. The following pressure—temperature equations were derived ferrocene log P(kPa)= 9.78 ± 0.14 ? (3805 ± 46)/T mono-acetyl ferrocene log P(kPa) = 14.83 ± 0.14 ? (5916 ± 48)/T 1,1′-di-acetyl ferrocene log P(kPa) = 8.82 ± 0.11 ? (4289 ± 44)/T By second- and third-law treatment of the vapor data the ΔH⁰_sub,298 = 74.0 ± 2.0 kJ mole^?1 for the sublimation process of ferrocene was calculated and compared with the literature data. For the sublimation enthalpy of mono- and 1,1′-di-acetyl ferrocene the values ΔH⁰_sub,298 = 115.6 ± 2.5 kJ mole^?1 and ΔH⁰_sub,298 = 91.9 ± 2.5 kJ mole^?1 were derived by second-law treatment. Thermal functions of these compounds were also estimated.     

Free-radical polymerization of vinyl ferrocene

The results of quantitative studies of the rates of free-radical polymerization of vinyl ferrocene indicate that the latter has polymerization characteristics similar to those of styrene. The rates of homopolymerization of these two monomers in benzene at 70°C. were measured with the use of azobisisobutyronitrile as catalyst. The rate constants (k = R_p/[M][I]^1/2) are k_VF = (1.1 ? 1.8) × 10^?4, k_STY = 1.65 × 10^?4. Small amounts of vinyl ferrocene and styrene have similar effects on the rates of polymerizations of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate and on the molecular weights of the resulting polymer. Polystyrene and poly(vinyl ferrocene) with similar molecular weights are isolated from polymerizations carried out under identical conditions. The rates of copolymerization of vinyl ferrocene—methyl methacrylate, vinyl ferrocene—styrene, and styrene—methyl methacrylate were determined by following the disappearance of monomers by means of gas chromatographic analyses. The relative reactivity for vinyl ferrocene is slightly lower than that for styrene.     

Substituent effects of phosphonate groups electronic repartition of π-conjugated ferrocene analogues of stilbene

The synthesis of para-substituted ferrocene analogues of stilbene was performed by using the Heck reaction, starting from vinylferrocene. The variation of the electronic density of these compounds with the electronic withdrawing strength of the substituents was studied using ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, absorption spectra and cyclic voltammetry. The correlation of Hammett constants with the redox properties of the substituted compounds using Nagy's method allowed us to revisit the determination of the Hammett constants of diethyl phosphonate ester and phosphonic acid substituents. Our measurements were in agreement with the literature except for the diethyl phosphonate group.     

Structures and charge-discharge properties of spin-carrying ferrocene derivatives

Several ferrocene derivatives (1-6) carrying nitroxide radical were prepared as dual redox compounds. They have distorted molecular structures and exhibit oxidation potentials based on both ferrocene and nitroxide groups except 4. The multi-step charge-discharge processes are discriminated for mono-substituted derivatives with the first discharge capacity up to 400 Ah kg⁻¹ for imino-derivative 3, while relatively characterless profiles are observed for bis-substituted derivatives 4 and 6 with capacity over 300 Ah kg⁻¹.     

Antineoplastic activity of polyaspartamide–ferrocene conjugates

The ferrocene/ferricenium redox system plays a significant role in biological oxidation, reduction and free-radical reactions. Of particular interest are the findings of earlier investigations which showed certain water-soluble ferricenium salts to possess appreciable antiproliferative activity against various murine tumor lines and a xenografted human colorectal adenocarcinoma. Solubility in water, a prerequisite for efficacious transport and dissipation in central circulation, was then proposed as a principal requirement for the ferrocene complex system to exert antineoplastic activity irrespective of the oxidation state in which it is administered. In order to shed more light on this question, we decided to investigate the antiproliferative properties of polymer–ferrocene conjugates containing the metal complex in the non-oxidized (ferrocene) form while fulfilling the critical requirement of water solubility. To this end, five selected, water-soluble conjugates, synthesized by reversible coupling of 4-ferrocenylbutanoic acid to variously structured polyaspartamides featuring pendant primary amino groups as coupling sites, were tested in vitro against cultured HeLa cells at concentrations up to 50 µg Fe ml⁻¹. Optimal antiproliferative activities, with IC₅₀ in the range of 2–7 µg Fe ml⁻¹, were determined for three compounds possessing tertiary-amine functions susceptible to protonation at physiological pH. Lower activities (IC₅₀ = 45–60 µg Fe ml⁻¹) were demonstrated for two poly(ethylene oxide)-containing conjugates. However, no reasonable structure–performance relationships can be derived at this stage from the small number of compounds tested. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two types of protons in ferrocene

Two absorption bands of ferrocene, the in-plane bending C-H vibrations (β_CH) at 1002 cm^?1 and out-of-plane C-H vibration (γ_CH) at 816 cm^?1, are accompanied with high-frequency satellites β_CH (1055) and γ_CH (837 cm^?1). In the spectrum of 1,1′-dideuteroferrocene, only the high-frequency bands suffer an isotopic shift, from 1055 to 859 cm^?1, and from 837 to 668 cm^?1. Only additional incorporation of deuterium into 1,1′-dideuteroferrocene results also in an isotopic shift of the basic bands: 1002 to 771 and 816 to 632 cm^?1. Therefore, one of the five carbon atoms of cyclopentadienyl ring of ferrocene differs from the other in the static state. It is assumed that just this carbon atom is bonded with the iron atom by the σ-bond.     

Lithium redox-responsive ferrocene bis-tertiary amide derivatives

The addition of Li⁺ to ferrocene bis-tertiary amide derivatives in acetonitrile results in a shift of the ferrocene oxidation wave to more positive potentials and the appearance of a new redox couple associated with a Li⁺ complex.     

Electron transfer in nonpolar solvents in fullerodendrimers with peripheral ferrocene units

Two new fullerodendrimers, with two and four ferrocene units on their periphery, have been synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions between the corresponding azomethine ylides and C(60). These new compounds have been studied by using cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Weak intramolecular interactions between the fullerene cage and the ferrocene groups have been found. The photochemical events of both fullerene-ferrocene dendrimers have been probed by means of steady-state and time-resolved techniques. The steady-state emission intensities of the fulleropyrrolidine-ferrocene dendrimers 1 and 2 were found to be quenched relative to the N-methylfulleropyrrolidine without substituents that was used as a model. The nanosecond transient absorption spectral studies revealed efficient charge separation in both systems, even in toluene. The lifetimes of the (C(60))(*-)-(dendron)(*+) are higher for the second-generation fullerodendrimer (with four ferrocene units) and they are of the order of tens of nanoseconds in toluene and hundreds of nanoseconds in polar solvents.     

Mechanism of the oxidation of ferrocene and its derivatives with hydrogen peroxide: A new effect

A new effect was recorded during the studies of the mechanism of ferrocene oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, namely, a shift of λ_max of the absorption band of the ferricinium cation (ABFC) toward the long-wave region and its broadening during the reaction. The shiftΔλ_max increased with the excess of the H₂O₂ concentration with respect to the ferrocene concentration and reached 90 nm and more at H₂O₂/Fc ≈ 80–100. Similar changes in ABFC took place during the oxidation of a series of ferrocene derivatives. A shift of ABFC was not revealed at comparable concentrations of the metal complex and H₂O₂. During the oxidation of ferrocene with other peroxides (t-C₄H₉OOH or (PhCOO)₂), there were no changes in the spectrum of the ferricinium cation at any ratios of reagent concentrations. The observed effect is based on the formation of a {ferricinium cation + ^.OH} radical pair during the primary interaction of the metallocomplex with H₂O₂ and subsequent reaction between the radicals of the radical pair according to the radical substitution mechanism, which leads to the formation of the hydroxy derivatives of ferrocene and their cations. Sequential accumulation of OH substituents in the metallocomplex and the corresponding ferricinium cations caused a continuous shift of ABFC toward the long-wave region.     

Investigation of substituent effects on the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of ferrocene analogues of chalcones

The transmission of electronic effects across the ferrocene analogues of chalcones [3-aryl-1-ferrocenyl-2-propene-1-ones (series 1) and 1-aryl-3-ferrocenyl-2-propene-1-ones (series 2)], as well as the conformations of both types of ferrocene analogues have been studied. The ferrocene analogues of chalcones of series 1 were found to be in a non-planar conformation. Their H-α and C-α chemical shifts are more sensitive to the resonance than to the inductive effects of substituents. The C-α chemical shifts of the ferrocene analogues of chalcones of series 2 are more sensitive to the inductive than to the resonance effects of substituents. The transmission of the substituent effects to the ferrocene moiety is also briefly discussed.     

The electrochemistry of some ferrocene derivatives: redox potential and substituent effects

Fifteen ferrocene derivatives I–IX (four of which have been prepared for the first time: II, IIIf, V and VIII) have been prepared by Friedel–Crafts acetylation, Claisen condensation, Michael reaction, and ring closure by hydrazine hydrate. The anodic behaviour of these compounds has been studied by cyclic voltammetry at a platinum electrode in an aprotic solvent. All these substituted ferrocenes exhibit a reversible one‐electron oxidation reduction centred at each iron centre, and the effect of substituents on the half‐wave oxidation potential is discussed in terms of their electronic properties. Linear correlations have been observed between these potentials and the Hammett σ_x constant for the substituents. Cyclic voltammetry has been carried out for ferrocene derivatives IIIa, V and IX. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A mechanism of photo-oxidative destruction for polythylene polymers in the presence of ferrocene derivative additives

The effect of ferrocene additive concentrations on the stability of polythylene polymers under atmospheric ageing and ultraviolet irradiation is reported. At concentrations under ca 5 × 10^?3 mol kg^?1 polymer the ferrocene compound is shown to diminish polymer resistance to light, whereas above this concentration such a compound stabilizes the polymeric matrix. Another purpose of the work is to look into the photo-oxidative destruction of polyethylene doped with ferrocene compound by using an EPR technique. A mechanism of photo-oxidative destruction of polyethylene polymers in the presence of ferrocene compounds is proposed.     

Complex compounds of ferrocene in a biacceptor system

Summary Three-component systems of ferrocene (FcH): carbon tetrachloride: tetranitromethane have been investigated spectrally in the 290–800 nm range. Quantitative relationships were investigated between electron-donor acceptor (EDA) complexes of ferrocene and CCl₄ (FcH · CCl₄) and C(NO₂)₄ [FcH · C(NO₂)₄] and the ferricenium cation (FcH⁺) which is formed as a result of dissociation of complexes and which depends upon the initial concentration of C(NO₂)₄ and duration the reaction. The results prove the destabilizing influence of C(NO₂)₄ on the EDA complex of ferrocene and CCl₄.     

Photoionization of ferrocene

Photoionization efficiency curves of ferrocene vapor have been recorded between 1900 and 590 A. The appearance potential of the patent ion Fe(C₅H₅)⁺₂ was found at 6.747 eV. The fragments Fe(C₅H₅)⁺ and Fe⁺ appear at 13.162 and 13.506 eV respectively. We discuss a possible spin—orbit splitting and the thermochemistry of the reactions producting Fe⁺.     

The complexation of ferrocene derivatives by a water-soluble calix[6]arene

The complexation of several ferrocene derivatives by the water-soluble hostp-sulfonato-calix[6]arene was investigated using electrochemical and¹H-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The electrochemical results indicate that both oxidation states of the guests are bound to the calixarene host, although the oxidized (ferrocenium) forms are complexed more strongly than the reduced (ferrocene) species.¹H-NMR spectroscopic data indicate that the complexation phenomena involves the inclusion of the guest's ferrocene moiety into the flexible calixarene cavity.This paper is dedicated to the commemorative issue on the 50th anniversary of calixarenes.     

Reduction electrochimique du ferrocene

A well characterized 1e^? reversible polarographic wave is observed at low temperature (? ?30°C) for ferrocene and methylferrocene in dimethylformamide. At higher temperatures, a 2e reductive cleavage of the molecule occurs.     

Molecular dynamics study of ferrocene topology under various temperatures

We present the first quantum mechanical Atom-Centered Density-Matrix Propagation molecular dynamic (MD) study to investigate ferrocene (Fc) conformation in gas phase. The MD simulations were performed at several temperatures (7, 18, 80, 120, 180, 293, and 500 K) for a period of 10 ps. It is found that, at very low temperatures (≤18 K), ferrocene prefers eclipsed-like conformation. At higher temperatures (>18 K), the cyclopentadienyl rings (Cp) of ferrocene exhibit apparent fluxional rotations, leading to configurations with the rotational angle δ distributing within a range of 0° (eclipsed) to 18° (approximately half of 36° for the staggered conformation), accompanied by the cyclopentadienyl ring tilt up to approximately 12° at 500 K. The simulated mean inferred (IR) spectrum of ferrocene at 7 K is clearly dominant by a doublet-splitting band of eclipsed-like Fc features in the region of 400 to 600 cm⁻¹, in agreement with previous IR studies. The animation obtained from the MD simulations indicates that, at room temperature, the Fe-C distances in ferrocene are in fact not strictly congruent but 2:2:1-fold.     

Mössbauer study on photochemistry of ferrocene isolated in low-temperature matrix

Unstable novel species produced by photolysis of ferrocene (Cp₂Fe) isolated in low-temperature matrix were studied by means of the⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. On the UV-irradiation of⁵⁷Fe-enriched ferrocene co-condensed with CCl₄ in low-temperature N₂ matrix (20 K), unknown high spin ferrous species (I.S.=0.90±0.01 mm/s, Q.S=1.94±0.02 mm/s) were produced as well as ferricinium ion [Cp₂Fe]⁺ (I.S.=0.52±0.01 mm/s, Q.S.=0.0 mm/s). On the annealing, these photoproducts disappeared to reform ferrocene by the reverse reaction in the matrix. The mechanisms of the photochemical reaction were discussed.