Crystal structure of (3,3′,4,4′-tetramethyl-1,1′-diphosphaferrocen-2-yl) carboxylic acid and its bis-[W(CO)5] complex·0.5C₅H₁₂: Conformation of 1,1′-diphosphaferrocenes

Abstract

The structures of (3,3′,4,4′-tetramethyl-1,1′-diphosphaferrocen-2-yl)carboxylic acid (1) and its bis-[W(CO)₅] pentane solvate complex (2) have been determined by X-ray analysis. The compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁ /n space group with Z = 4; a = 7.8404(9), b = 14.9441(16), c = 11.7730(14) Å, β = 92.773(10)°, V = 1377.8(3) ų, and D_calc = 1.553 g cm⁻³. The compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic $P\bar 1$ space group with two complex molecules and one pentane molecule in the unit cell. Cell parameters: a = 10.7070(2), b = 12.577(2), c = 13.239(3) Å, α = 84.00(2), β = 77.58(1), γ = 66.06(1)°, V = 1591.0(5) ų, and D_calc = 2.100 g cm⁻³ .The fully eclipsed conformation of the phospholyl rings with P···P secondary bonding of 3.353(1) Å is observed in 1 and a partially eclipsed conformation is found in 2. The 10 possible conformations of 1,1′-diphosphaferrocenes were described as the function of conformational parameter θ and observed geometry of the phospholyl rings.⁷ We suppose that the earlier conclusions concerning the destabilizing nature of 1,1′-diphosphaferrocene conformations with θ < 100° cannot be considered as general. The mode of W – P coordination, the structural changes of 1 by W(CO)₅ coordination, the structural effect of phospholyl rings substitution by the –COOH group, and hydrogen bonds are analyzed.