Mono-, di-, and trimetallic complexes of the nonalternating polycondensed pi-perimeter decacyclene, C36H18: synthesis, structure, and spectroelectrochemistry of

Reaction of the half-sandwich complexes [(eta5-Me4RC5)M(eta2:O-acac)] (M = Co, Ni; R = Me or Et) with di- and trianions of the polycondensed pi-hydrocarbon decacyclene results in formation of the first Co and Ni triple-decker complexes of this hydrocarbon. For the title compound NMR spectra as well as a crystal structure analysis reveal an antarafacial coordination of two (eta5-Me4EtC5)Co fragments at the central six-membered ring and one of the neighboring five-membered rings of decacyclene. The bridging pi-perimeter decacyclene displays a bowl-shaped topology. In the case of Ni, coordination of two (eta5-Me5C5)Ni fragments at the central six-membered ring of decacyclene is observed, based on the results of 1H and 13C NMR studies. This coordination mode is without precedent for nickel organometallic compounds reported so far. The cobalt complex shows a rich spectroelectrochemistry. Results of cyclic voltammetry and coupled ESR experiments reveal a strong interaction of both metal centers in the mixed-valent monocation of [(eta5-Me4EtC5)Co2(mu-eta5:eta4-C36H18)]. This categorizes the title compound into Robin Day class III.