CYCLOMETALATION OF FERROCENYLIMINES .3. REGIOSELECTIVITY IN HG(II) CYCLOMETALATED COMPLEXES

The synthesis and mercuration of a series of Schiff bases 1'-benzoyl-1 -[(arylimino)phenylmethyl]ferrocene (aryl: a variety of substituted ph enyls) have been studied. In all cases the mercuration occurred at the 2-position of the ferrocene ring. Oxygen --> mercury coordinated prod ucts were not obtained. The X-ray crystal structure of ercurio-1-[((ph enylimino)phenylmethyl)-1'-benzoyl] ferrocene 5c has been determined; this crystallizes in the monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c with a = 10.1 68(3), b = 16.105(3), c = 15.463(4)Angstrom, beta = 103.61(2)degrees a nd Z = 4. Refinement of atomic parameters gave an R factor of 0.038 (R omega = 0.055) for 2440 unique reflections having I > 3 sigma(I). The structure confirms the formation of a five-membered metallocycle on t he ferrocene moiety. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.