Metal−Metal Communication through Carborane Cages Supporting Electroactive [η5-CpFe(CO)2] Substituents

A family of η 5 -CpFe(CO) 2 -substituted closo -carboranes was synthesized and characterized, including cyclic voltammetry measurements. Like the previously reported bimetallic compound 1,12-[η 5 -CpFe(CO) 2 ] 2 -1,12-C 2 B 10 H 10 ( 8 ), 1,10-[η 5 -CpFe(CO) 2 ] 2 -1,10-C 2 B 8 H 8 ( 9 ) produces two dissimilar and irreversible one-electron oxidations within the same range, suggesting that it also exhibits through-cage electronic communication between iron centers. Structures determined by X-ray diffraction studies are reported for 1-[η 5 -CpFe(PPh 3 )(CO)]-1,12-C 2 B 10 H 11 ( 5 ), 1,12-[η 5 -CpFe(CO) 2 ] 2 -1,12-C 2 B 10 H 10 ( 8 ), and 1,10-[η 5 -CpFe(CO) 2 ] 2 -1,10-C 2 B 8 H 8 ( 9 ).