Pentamethylcyclopentadiene

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Pentamethylcyclopentadiene
Pentamethylcyclopentadiene
Molecular formula C10H16
Molar mass 136.24 g/mol
Appearance Colorless liquid.
Odor Benzene-like odor.
CAS number 4045-44-7
Density 0.870 g/cm3
Solubility in water Sparingly soluble
Boiling point 55–60 °C (13 mm Hg)
Flash point 44°C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene is a cyclic diolefin with the formula C5Me5H (Me = CH3). 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene is the organic precursor to the 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-ligand (often denoted as Cp* to signify the five methyl groups radiating from the periphery of this ligand as in a five-pointed star).

Contents

[edit] Comparison Cp* with Cp

Cp* is an important ligand in organometallic compounds arising from the binding of the five ring-carbon atoms in C5Me5-, or Cp*-, to metals. Relative to the more common cyclopentadiene (Cp) ligand, pentamethylcyclopentadiene (Cp*) offers certain features that are often advantageous. Being more electron-rich, Cp* is a stronger donor and is less easily removed from the metal. Consequently its complexes exhibit increased thermal stability. Its steric bulk allows the isolation of complexes with fragile ligands. Its bulk also attenuates intermolecular interactions, decreasing the tendency to form polymeric structures. Its complexes also tend to be highly soluble in non-polar solvents.

[edit] Synthesis of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene

A traditional route to Cp*H involves the addition of 2-butenyllithium to ethylacetate followed by acid-catalyzed dehydrocyclization:

MeCH=C(Li)Me + MeC(O)OEt → (MeCH=C(Me))2C(OLi)Me + LIOEt
(MeCH=C(Me))2C(OLi)Me + H+ → Cp*H + H2O + Li+

[edit] Synthesis of Cp* complexes

Cp*-metals and color
Cp*2Fe yellow
Cp*TiCl3 red
[Cp*Fe(CO)2]2 red-violet
[Cp*RhCl2]2 red
Cp*Re(CO)3 colorless
Cp*Mo(CO)2CH3 orange
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Some representative reactions leading to such Cp*-metal complexes follow:

Cp*H + C4H9Li → Cp*Li + C4H10
Cp*Li + TiCl4 → Cp*TiCl3 + LiCl
2 Cp*H + 2 Fe(CO)5 → [[[Cp*Fe(CO)2]2 + H2

For the related Cp complex, see cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer.

An instructive but obsolete route to Cp* complexes involves the use of hexamethyl Dewar benzene. This method was traditionally used for [RhCp*Cl2]2.

[edit] References

  • R. S. Threlkel, J. E. Bercaw, P. F. Seidler, J. M. Stryker, R. G. Bergman 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene, Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 8, p.505 (1993); Vol. 65, p.42 (1987).
  • Fendrick, C. M.; Schertz, L. D.; Mintz, E. A.; Marks, T. J. "Large-Scale Synthesis of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene" Inorganic Syntheses, volume 29, pp. 193-197 (1992).
  • Yamamoto, A. Organotransition Metal Chemistry: Fundamental Concepts and Applications. (1986) p. 105
  • Overview of Cp* Compounds: Elschenbroich, C. and Salzer, A. Organometallics: a Concise Introduction (1989) p. 47
  • The First Synthesis of Pentamethylcyclopentadiene: L. de Vries, Journal of Organic Chemistry, volume 25 (1960) p.1838ff.
  • Initial examples of the synthesis of Cp*-metal complexes: R. B. King, M. B. Bisnette, Journal of

Organometallic Chemistry volume, 8 (1967) pp. 287-297.


[edit] External links