Iron(II) complexes of naphthalenes. X-ray structure of [cyclopentadienyl-iron(II)-η6-octamethylnaphthalene]PF6

Abstract Complex ions [cyclopentadienyl-Fe(methylnaphthalene)]+ with 4 to 8 methyl substituents have been prepared from [CpFe(o-dichlorobenzene)]+ by a photochemical ligand exchange. Complexation shifts have been determined for 1H and 13C resonances of the η6-bonded naphthalenes. The X-ray structure of [CpFe(octamethylnaphthalene)]PF6 0.5 acetone has been determined. Crystals are monoclinic, the space group C2/c with unit-cell dimensions a = 10.689(4), b = 22.391(5), c = 20.550(4)A, β = 93.41(2)°, Z = 8. The structure determination established a distorted molecular geometry of the octamethylnaphthalene that is different from the free arene and its Cr(CO)3 complex.