Photoinduced Fe-Cp bond cleavage and insertion reactions of strained silicon- and sulphur-bridged [1]ferrocenophanes in the presence of transition-metal carbonyls

The photochemical reactions of the moderately strained sila[1]ferrocenophane [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)SiPh(2)] (1) and the highly strained thia[1]ferrocenophane [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)S] (8) with transition-metal carbonyls ([Fe(CO)(5)], [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] and [Co(2)(CO)(8)]) have been studied. The use of metal carbonyls has allowed the products of photochemically induced Fe-cyclopentadienyl (Cp) bond cleavage reactions in the [1]ferrocenophanes to be trapped as stable, characterisable products. During the course of these studies the synthesis of 8 from [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4)Li)(2)TMEDA] (TMEDA=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) and S(SO(2)Ph)(2) has been significantly improved by a change of reaction solvent and temperature. Photochemical reaction of 1 with excess [Fe(CO)(5)] in THF gave the dinuclear complex [Fe(2)(CO)(2)(mu-CO)(2)(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)SiPh(2)] (9). The analogous photolytic reaction of 8 with [Fe(CO)(5)] in THF gave cyclic dimer [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)S](2) (10) and [Fe(2)(CO)(2)(mu-CO)(2)(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)S] (11), with the former being the major product. Photolysis of 1 with [Co(2)(CO)(8)] afforded the remarkable tetrametallic dimer [(CO)(2)Co(eta-C(5)H(4))SiPh(2)(eta-C(5)H(4))Fe(CO)(2)](2) (13). The corresponding photochemical reaction of 8 with [Co(2)(CO)(8)] gave a trimetallic insertion product in high conversion, [Co(CO)(4)(CO)(2)Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))S(eta-C(5)H(4))Co(CO)(2)] (14). These reactivity studies show that UV light promotes Fe-Cp bond cleavage reactions of both of the [1]ferrocenophanes 1 and 8. We have found that, whereas the less strained sila[1]ferrocenophane 1 requires photoactivation for Fe-Cp bond insertions to occur, the highly strained thia[1]ferrocenophane 8 undergoes both irradiative and non-irradiative insertions, although the latter occur at a slower rate. Our results suggest that such photoinduced bond cleavage reactions may be general and applicable to other related strained organometallic rings with pi-hydrocarbon ligands.     

Chiral Bora[1]ferrocenophanes: Syntheses,Mechanistic Insights,and Ring‐Opening Polymerizations

A series of new boron‐bridged [1]ferrocenophanes ([1]FCPs) was prepared by salt‐metathesis reactions between enantiomerically pure dilithioferrocenes and amino(dichloro)boranes (Et₂NBCl₂, iPr₂NBCl₂, or tBu(Me₃Si)NBCl₂). The dilithioferrocenes were prepared in situ by lithium–bromine exchange from the respective planar‐chiral dibromides (S_p,S_p)‐[1‐Br‐2‐(HR₂C)H₃C₅]₂Fe (R=Me or Et). In most of the cases, mixtures of the targeted [1]FCPs 4 and the unwanted 1,1′‐bis(boryl)ferrocenes 5 were formed. The product ratio depends on the bulkiness of the amino group, the speed of addition of the amino(dichloro)borane, the alkyl group on Cp rings, and in particular on the reaction temperature. The formation of strained [1]FCPs is strongly favored by increased reaction temperatures. Secondly, CHEt₂ groups at Cp rings favored the formation of the targeted [1]FCPs stronger than CHMe₂ groups. These discoveries open up new possibilities to further suppress the formation of unwanted byproducts by a careful choice of the reaction temperature and through tailoring the bulkiness of CHR₂ groups on ferrocene. Thermal ring‐opening polymerizations of selected boron‐bridged [1]FCPs gave metallopolymers with a M_w of 10 kDa (GPC).     

Indium‐Bridged [1]Ferrocenophanes

Indium‐bridged [1]ferrocenophanes ([1]FCPs) and [1.1]ferrocenophanes ([1.1]FCPs) were synthesized from dilithioferrocene species and indium dichlorides. The reaction of Li₂fc?tmeda (fc=(H₄C₅)₂Fe) and (Mamx)InCl₂ (Mamx=6‐(Me₂NCH₂)‐2,4‐tBu₂C₆H₂) gave a mixture of the [1]FCP (Mamx)Infc ( 4₁ ), the [1.1]FCP [(Mamx)Infc]₂ ( 4₂ ), and oligomers [(Mamx)Infc]_n ( 4 _n ). In a similar reaction, employing the enantiomerically pure, planar‐chiral (S_p,S_p)‐1,1′‐dibromo‐2,2′‐diisopropylferrocene ( 1 ) as a precursor for the dilithioferrocene derivative Li₂fc^iPr2, equipped with two iPr groups in the α position, gave the inda[1]ferrocenophane 5₁ [(Mamx)Infc^iPr2] selectively. Species 5₁ underwent ring‐opening polymerization to give the polymer 5 _n . The reaction between Li₂fc^iPr2 and Ar′InCl₂ (Ar′=2‐(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄) gave an inseparable mixture of the [1]FCP Ar′Infc^iPr2 ( 6₁ ) and the [1.1]FCP [Ar′Infc^iPr2]₂ ( 6₂ ). Hydrogenolysis reactions (BP86/TZ2P) of the four inda[1]ferrocenophanes revealed that the structurally most distorted species ( 5₁ ) is also the most strained [1]FCP.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Fluxionality of Strained Hypercoordinate Silicon‐Bridged [1]Ferrocenophanes

The first hypercoordinate sila[1]ferrocenophanes [fcSiMe(2‐C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂)] ( 5 a ) and [fcSi(CH₂Cl)(2‐C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂)] ( 5 b ) (fc=(η⁵‐C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄)) were synthesized by low‐temperature (?78 °C) reactions of Li[2‐C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂] with the appropriate chlorinated sila[1]ferrocenophanes ([fcSiMeCl] ( 1 a ) and [fcSi(CH₂Cl)Cl] ( 1 d ), respectively). Single‐crystal Xray diffraction studies revealed pseudo‐trigonal bipyramidal structures for both 5 a and 5 b , with one of the shortest reported Si???N distances for an sp³‐hybridized nitrogen atom interacting with a tetraorganosilane detected for 5 a (2.776(2) Å). Elongated Si? C_ipso bonds trans to the donating NMe₂ arms (1.919(2) and 1.909(2) Å for 5 a and 5 b , respectively) were observed relative to both the non‐trans bonds ( 5 a : 1.891(2); 5 b : 1.879(2) Å) and the Si? C_ipso bonds of the non‐hypercoordinate analogues ([fcSiMePh] ( 1 b ): 1.879(4), 1.880(4) Å; [fcSi(CH₂Cl)Ph] ( 1 e ): 1.881(2), 1.884(2)). Solution‐state fluxionality of 5 a and 5 b , suggestive of reversible coordination of the NMe₂ group to silicon, was demonstrated by means of variable‐temperature NMR studies. The ΔG^≠ of the fluxional processes for 5 a and 5 b in CD₂Cl₂ were estimated to be 35.0 and 37.6 kJ mol^?1, respectively (35.8 and 38.3 kJ mol^?1 in [D₈]toluene). The quaternization of 5 a and 5 b by MeOTf, to give [fcSiMe(2‐C₆H₄CH₂NMe₃)][OTf] ( 7 a‐ OTf) and [fcSi(CH₂Cl)(2‐C₆H₄CH₂NMe₃)][OTf] ( 7 b‐ OTf), respectively, supported the reversibility of NMe₂ coordination at the silicon center as the source of fluxionality for 5 a and 5 b . Surprisingly, low room‐temperature stability was detected for 5 b due to its tendency to intramolecularly cyclize and form the spirocyclic [fcSi(cyclo‐CH₂NMe₂CH₂C₆H₄)]Cl ( 9 ‐Cl). This process was observed in both solution and the solid state, and isolation and Xray characterization of 9 ‐Cl was achieved. The model compound, [Fc₂Si(2‐C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂)₂] ( 8 ), synthesized through reaction of [Fc₂SiCl₂] with two equivalents of Li[2‐C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂] at ?78 °C, showed a lack of hypercoordination in both the solid state and in solution (down to ?80 °C). This suggests that either the reduced steric hindrance around Si or the unique electronics of the strained sila[1]ferrocenophanes is necessary for hypercoordination to occur.     

Photoinduced iron-cyclopentadienyl (Fe-Cp) bond cleavage reactions and photocontrolled polymerizations of strained [1]ferrocenophanes

Although extensive previous studies have shown that strained [1]ferrocenophanes predominantly undergo ring-opening chemistry at the bridging atom E-cyclopentadienyl (E-Cp) bond, recent reports have highlighted that reactivity at the Fe-Cp bond can also occur, especially on photoactivation. We provide an overview of recent results from our group and those of other researchers. In addition, the development of photocontrolled living polymerizations of sila[1]ferrocenophanes using Fe-Cp bond cleavage chemistry is described.     

Ring-opening protonolysis of sila[1]ferrocenophanes as a route to stabilized silylium ions

The ring-opening reactions of a series of sila[1]ferrocenophanes with protic acids of anions with various degrees of noncoordinating character have been explored. Ferrocenyl-substituted silyl triflates FcSiMe2OTf (5 a) and Fc(3)SiOTf (5 b) (Fc=(eta5-C5H4)Fe(eta5-C5H5)) were synthesized by means of HOTf-induced ring-opening protonolysis of strained sila[1]ferrocenophanes fcSiMe2 (3 a) and fcSiFc2 (3 b) (fc=(eta5-C5H4)2Fe). Reaction of 3 a and 3 b with HBF4 yielded fluorosubstituted ferrocenylsilanes FcSiMe2F (6 a) and Fc3SiF (6 b) and suggested the intermediacy of a highly reactive silylium ion capable of abstracting F- from the [BF4]- ion. Generation of the solvated silylium ions [FcSiMe2THF]+ (7a+), [Fc3SiTHF]+ (7b+) and [FcSiiPr2OEt2]+ (7c+) at low temperatures, by reaction of the corresponding sila[1]ferrocenophanes (3 a, 3 b, and fcSiiPr2 (3 c), respectively) with H(OEt2)(S)TFPB (S=Et2O or THF; TFPB=tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate) was monitored by using low-temperature 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. In situ reaction of 7a+, 7b+, and 7c+ with excess pyridine generated [FcSiMe2py]+ (8a+), [Fc3Sipy]+ (8b+), and [FcSiiPr2py]+ (8c+), respectively, as observed by 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. A preparative-scale reaction of 3 b with H(OEt2)(THF)TFPB at -60 degrees C and subsequent addition of excess pyridine gave isolable red crystals of 8b-[TFPB]CHCl3, which were characterized by 1H and 29Si NMR spectroscopy as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Comparative Studies of Thermally Induced Homolytic CarbonCarbon Bond Cleavage Reactions of Strained Dicarba[2]ferrocenophanes and Their Ring‐Opened Oligomers and Polymers

Reactivity studies of dicarba[2]ferrocenophanes and also their corresponding ring‐opened oligomers and polymers have been conducted in order to provide mechanistic insight into the processes that occur under the conditions of their thermal ring‐opening polymerisation (ROP) (300 °C). Thermolysis of dicarba[2]ferrocenophane rac‐[Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄)₂(CHPh)₂] (rac‐ 14 ; 300 °C, 1 h) does not lead to thermal ROP. To investigate this system further, rac‐ 14 was heated in the presence of an excess of cyclopentadienyl anion, to mimic the postulated propagating sites for thermally polymerisable analogues. This afforded acyclic [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄)‐CH₂Ph] ( 17 ) through cleavage of both a Fe?Cp bond and also the C?C bond derived from the dicarba bridge. Evidence supporting a potential homolytic C?C bond cleavage pathway that occurs in the absence of ring‐strain was provided through thermolysis of an acyclic analogue of rac‐ 14 , namely [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄)(CHPh)₂‐C₅H₅] ( 15 ; 300 °C, 1 h), which also afforded ferrocene derivative 17 . This reactivity pathway appears general for post‐ROP species bearing phenyl substituents on adjacent carbons, and consequently was also observed during the thermolysis of linear polyferrocenylethylene [Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄)₂(CHPh)₂]_n ( 16 ; 300 °C, 1 h), which was prepared by photocontrolled ROP of rac‐ 14 at 5 °C. This afforded ferrocene derivative [Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄CH₂Ph)₂] ( 23 ) through selective cleavage of the ?H(Ph)C?C(Ph)H? bonds in the dicarba linkers. These processes appear to be facilitated by the presence of bulky, radical‐stabilising phenyl substituents on each carbon of the linker, as demonstrated through the contrasting thermal properties of unsubstituted linear trimer [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄)(CH₂)₂(η⁵‐C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₄)(CH₂)₂(η⁵‐C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₅)] ( 29 ) with a ?H₂C?CH₂? spacer, which proved significantly more stable under analogous conditions. Evidence for the radical intermediates formed through C?C bond cleavage was detected through high‐resolution mass spectrometric analysis of co‐thermolysis reactions involving rac‐ 14 and 15 (300 °C, 1 h), which indicated the presence of higher molecular weight species, postulated to be formed through cross‐coupling of these intermediates.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of a Strained Silicon‐Bridged [1]Ferrocenophanium Ion

Not blue but red‐brown : A [1]ferrocenophanium ion has been synthesized and isolated as a red‐brown crystalline salt, surprisingly different in color from characteristically blue‐green unstrained ferrocenium ions. Compared to the neutral iron(II) counterpart, the [1]ferrocenophanium ion displays a considerably higher ring tilt and an increased propensity for ring‐opening reactions.

     

Ruthenium‐based metathesis initiators: Development and use in ring‐opening metathesis polymerization

For many years, olefin metathesis has been a central topic of industrial and academic research because of its great synthetic utility. The employed initiators cover a wide range of compounds, from simple transition‐metal salts to highly sophisticated and well‐defined alkylidene complexes. Currently, ruthenium‐based catalysts are at the center of attention because of their remarkable tolerance toward oxygen, moisture, and numerous functionalities. This article focuses on recent developments in the field of ring‐opening metathesis polymerization using ruthenium‐based catalysts. ruthenium‐based initiators and their applications to the preparation of advanced polymeric materials are briefly reviewed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2895–2916, 2002     

Bis(guanidinate) alkoxide complexes of lanthanides: synthesis, structures and use in immortal and stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters

A series of new bis(guanidinate) alkoxide Group 3 metal complexes [Ln((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(OR)] (R=OtBu, Ln=Y, Nd, Sm, Lu; R=OiPr, Ln=Y, Nd, Lu) has been synthesized. X-ray structural determinations revealed that bis(guanidinate) tert-butoxides are monomeric complexes. The isopropoxide complex [Y((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(OiPr)] undergoes slow decomposition in solution, to afford the unusual dimeric amido complex [(Y((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(mu-N(iPr)C triple chemical bond N))2]. Complexes [Ln((Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2)2(OR)] (R=OtBu, Ln=Y, Nd, Sm, Lu; R=OiPr, Ln=Y, Nd, Lu) are active catalysts/initiators for the ROP of rac-lactide and rac-beta-butyrolactone under mild conditions. Most of those polymerizations proceed with a significant degree of control. Bis(guanidinate) alkoxides appear to be well suited for achieving immortal polymerization of lactide, through the introduction of large amounts of isopropanol as a chain-transfer agent. The synthesized complexes are able to promote the stereoselective ROP of rac-beta-butyrolactone to afford syndiotactic poly(hydrobutyrate) through a chain-end control mechanism, while they are surprisingly non-stereoselective for the ROP of lactide under strictly similar conditions.     

N,O‐chelate aluminum and zinc complexes: synthesis and catalysis in the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone

Reaction between 2‐(1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)benzenamine and 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde or 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde afforded 2‐(4,5‐dihydropyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL¹NH, 1a) or 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(4,5‐dihydropyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL²NH, 1b). Both 1a and 1b can be converted to 2‐(H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL³N, 2a) and 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL⁴N, 2b), respectively, by heating 1a and 1b in toluene. Treatment of 1b with an equivalent of AlEt₃ afforded [Al(Et₂)(OL²NH)] (3). Reaction of 1b with two equivalents of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) gave dinuclear aluminum complexes [(AlR₂)₂(OL²N)] (R = Me, 4a; R = Et, 4b). Refluxing the toluene solution of 4a and 4b, respectively, generated [Al(R₂)(OL⁴N)] (R = Me, 5a; R = Et, 5b). Complexes 5a and 5b were also obtained either by refluxing a mixture of 1b and two equivalents of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) in toluene or by treatment of 2b with an equivalent of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et). Reaction of 2a with an equivalent of AlMe₃ afforded [Al(Me₂)(OL³N)] (5c). Treatment of 1b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature gave [Zn(Et)(OL²NH)] (6), while reaction of 1b with 0.5 equivalent of ZnEt₂ at 40 °C afforded [Zn(OL²NH)₂] (7). Reaction of 1b with two equivalents of ZnEt₂ from room temperature to 60 °C yielded [Zn(Et)(OL⁴N)] (8). Compound 8 was also obtained either by reaction between 6 and an equivalent of ZnEt₂ from room temperature to 60 °C or by treatment of 2b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature. Reaction of 2b with 0.5 equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature gave [Zn(OL⁴N)₂] (9), which was also formed by heating the toluene solution of 6. All novel compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 3, 5c and 6 were additionally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. The catalysis of complexes 3, 4a, 5a–c, 6 and 8 toward the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone was evaluated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Syntheses of Group 4 ansa-trovacene complexes and conversion of [1]silatrovacenophanes into paramagnetic metallopolymers by ring-opening polymerization

An improved protocol for the selective dilithiation of [V(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(η(7)-C(7)H(7))] has been developed, which afforded [V(η(5)-C(5)H(4)Li)(η(7)-C(7)H(6)Li)]·PMDTA (5; PMDTA=N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) in almost quantitative yield (98%). In the solid state, the species features a dimeric structure with two terminal and two bridging lithium atoms, with the latter connecting both sandwich subunits. Reaction with suitable Group 4 dihalide compounds enabled the isolation of highly strained silicon- and germanium-bridged [1]trovacenophanes 6 and 7. Similarly, reaction of 5 with Cl(2)Sn(2)tBu(4) afforded the rather unstrained complex [V(η(5)-C(5)H(4))(η(7)-C(7)H(6))Sn(2)tBu(4)] (8), which together with 7 represent the first trovacenophanes to incorporate heavier analogues of silicon in the ansa-bridge. Ring-opening polymerization reactions of [V(η(5)-C(5)H(4))(η(7)-C(7)H(6))SiRR'] (2a: R=R'=Me; 6: R=Me, R'=iPr) were performed by heating in a solution of toluene in the presence of the Karstedt catalyst, which resulted in the formation of the corresponding soluble poly(trovacenylsilanes) in yields of 41 and 33%, respectively. As estimated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), the macromolecules possess molecular weights of M(n)=10,010 and 5580 g mol(-1) with polydispersity indices of 2.31 and 1.64 for 9 and 10, respectively. ESR spectroscopic studies on 9 and 10 revealed only a single broad resonance in each case without any identifiable (51)V hyperfine coupling.     

N‐heterocyclic carbenes as organocatalysts in controlled/living ring‐opening polymerization of O‐carboxyanhydrides derived from l‐lactic acid and l‐mandelic acid

An organocatalytic approach to controlled/living ring‐opening polymerizations (ROPs) of O‐carboxyanhydrides (OCAs) using N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) as nucleophilic catalysts has been investigated. NHCs with different structures were used in order to compare the catalytic performances in the ROP of OCA of l ‐lactic acid. ¹H NMR, SEC, and MALDI‐TOF MS measurements of the products clearly indicated a controlled/living manner of the polymerization. The controlled/living nature was further confirmed by kinetic and chain extension experiments. Additionally, polylol initiators were used to produce α,ω‐dihydroxy telechelic, 3‐, and 4‐armed star‐shaped polymers. Moreover, star‐shaped diblock copolymer, bearing methyl and phenyl side groups, has been successfully synthesized with OCA/NHC system. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 . 52, 2306–2315     

Di‐ and trivalent rare earth complexes stabilized by sterically demanding aminopyridinato ligands as initiators in ring‐opening polymerization reactions of ϵ‐caprolactone

Salt elimination protocols using Ap*K {Ap*H = (2,6‐diisopropyl‐phenyl)‐[6‐(2,4,6‐triisopropyl‐phenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl]‐amine} lead to the rare earth aminopyridinato complex [Ap*LuCl₂(thf)₂], 4 . Results of X‐ray crystal structure analyses of 4 and the corresponding single THF coordinated dimer are discussed. Ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone initiated by complexes [Ap*LaBr₂(thf)₃], 2 , [Ap*YbI(thf)₂]₂, 3 or 4 in the presence of NaBH₄ allows the preparation, in a short reaction time, of α,ω‐dihydroxytelechelic polymers with high molar mass ( up to 50,000) and moderate molar mass distributions (1.3 < / < 1.6). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3611–3619, 2007     

Synthesis of ansa-[n]silacyclopentadienyl-cycloheptatrienyl-chromium complexes (n = 1, 2): novel precursors for polymers bearing chromium in the backbone

Reaction of [(eta5-C5H4Li)(eta7-C7H6Li)Cr]tmeda with a variety of dialkyl(dichloro)silanes in aliphatic solvents afforded the corresponding [1]silatrochrocenophanes. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction analysis of the [1]silatrochrocenophanes bearing Me2Si, (iPr)2Si, and silacyclobutane bridges revealed tilt angles alpha of 15.56(12) degrees , 15.8(1) degrees , and 16.33(17) degrees , respectively. Analogously, a [2]silatrochrocenophane (6) was prepared in excellent yield by reaction of [(eta5-C5H4Li)(eta7-C7H6Li)Cr]tmeda with 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetramethyldisilane. This complex also was characterized structurally and exhibited a tilt angle alpha of 2.60(15) degrees. The [1]silatrochrocenophane bearing the Me2Si bridge underwent facile and regioselective carbon-silicon bond cleavage with [Pt(PEt3)4] to give a very high yield of an oxidative addition product. The ring-opening polymerization of these novel [1]silatrochrocenophanes afforded ring-opened chromium-based polymers.