Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 1-Ethoxyferrocenylmethyl-3-ferrocenylmethylene-1-cyclohexene, C30H32OFe2.

The title compound was formed when 2,5-di(ferrocenylmethylene)cyclohexanone was variously treated with NaBH4 in ethanol. The first step was probably a reduction to the corresponding alcohol. This was followed by nucleophilic attack on the vinylic carbon by ethanol, with subsequent elimination of water. Its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction from data collected at 95 K. The orange crystals are monoclinic with a = 11.597(2), b = 7.436(1), c = 13.689(2) angstrom, beta = 92.50(1)-degrees, Z = 2, space group Pa. The molecule consists of two ferrocenyl groups connected by a 1,3-pentadienyl chain. The three central carbon atoms of the chain are members of a cyclohexene ring. In addition an ethoxy group is substituted at the I-position of the chain. The ferrocenyl group at the other end displays disorder in the unsubstituted ring.