New reagents for the synthesis of a series of ferrocenoyl functionalized copper and silver chalcogenolate complexes

A series of silylated ferrocenoyl chalcogenide reagents, FcC(O)ESiMe3 (E=S, Se, Te; Fc=ferrocene), can be prepared in very good yield from FcC(O)Cl and LiESiMe3. These reagents are used in the preparation of triphenylphosphine-ligated copper and silver ferrocenoyl thiolate and selenolate complexes, [M4(E{O}CFc)4(PPh3)4], (M=Cu, Ag; E=S, Se) and [Cu2(micro-Se{O}CFc)2(PPh3)3] from solubilized copper(I) and silver(I) acetate. The structures of these complexes have been determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The driving force for these reactions is the thermodynamically favorable formation and elimination of AcOSiMe3. The synthesis and characterization of both starting reagents and cluster complexes are discussed.