Structural Rearrangements in Triple-Decker-Like Complexes with Mixed Group 15/16 Ligands: Synthesis and Characterization of the Redox Couple [Cp2*Fe2As2Se2]/[Cp2*Fe2As2Se2]+ (Cp*=C5Me5)

The reaction of As4Se4 with stoichiometric amounts of [Cp*Fe2(CO)4] (Cp* = C5Me5) in boiling toluene forms [Cp2*Fe2As2Se2] (1) in good yield. X-ray crystallography shows 1 to have a triple-decker structure which comprises a tetraatomic mu,eta4:4-As2Se2 ligand. Density functional theory (DFT) and extended Huckel molecular orbital (EHMO) calculations confirm that the As2Se2 ligand behaves as a four-electron pi donor. Oxidation of 1 with equimolar amounts of [(C5H5)2Fe]PF6, Br2 and I2, respectively, gave compounds 2-4. According to X-ray crystallographic investigations that were carried out on 2 and 4, the oxidation state has a considerable influence on the structure of the Fe2As2Se2 core: sig…