SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF IOXO-1,7-DI(2-PYRIDYL)-4(2-PYRIDYLCARBONYL)HEPTANE - AN UNEXPECTED COMPOUND OBTAINED FROM THE REACTION OF FERROCENE-1,1'-DICARBALDEHYDE WITH 2-ACETYLPYRIDINE

The reaction of ferrocene-1,1'-dicarbaldehyde with 2-acetylpyridine at room temperature for 24 h results in the synthesis of -1,7-dioxo-1,7- di(2-pyridyl)-4-(2-pyridylcarbonyl) heptane instead of the expected en one or 1,5-dicarbonyl. The crystal structure of this compound has been determined by single-crystal X-ray methods. The complex is electroact ive and exhibits a reversible iron(II)/(III) process at +0.014 V vs fe rrocene.