New reagents for the synthesis of a series of ferrocenoyl functionalized copper and silver chalcogenolate complexes

A series of silylated ferrocenoyl chalcogenide reagents, FcC(O)ESiMe(3) (E = S, Se, Te; Fc = ferrocene), can be prepared in very good yield from FcC(O)Cl and LiESiMe(3). These reagents are used in the preparation of triphenylphosphine-ligated copper and silver ferrocenoyl thiolate and selenolate complexes, M(4)(E{O}CFc)(4)(PPh(3))(4)], (M = Cu, Ag; E = S, Se) and Cu(2)(mu-Se{O}CFc)(2)(PPh(3))(3)] from solubilized copper(i) and silver(i) acetate. The structures of these complexes have been determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The driving force for these reactions is the thermodynamically favorable formation and elimination of AcOSiMe(3). The synthesis and characterization of both starting reagents and cluster complexes are discussed.