REDOX BEHAVIOR OF FERROCENE DERIVATIVES .2. A-5-TRICYCLO[5.2.1.02,6]DECA-2,5,8-TRIEN-6-YL)IRON AND RELATED MOLECULES

The series of ferrocene-like derivatives 5-11, in which the cyclopenta dienyl rings are fused to bicyclic norbornane- or pinane-like fragment s, has been studied electrochemically in order to test the ability of these derivatives to lose one electron as well as to quantify any ster eoelectronic effects associated with coordination of the bicyclic moie ties above or below the plane of the cyclopentadienyl rings. The X-ray structure of the cation cyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]deca-2,5,8-trien-6-yl)iron (III) ([5]+, as its TCNQ salt) has been determined, thus allowing us t o evaluate the stereochemical reorganizations accompanying one-electro n removal from the corresponding neutral iron(II) congener (5). The EP R spectra of all the electrogenerated cations [5]+-[11]+ have been rec orded at liquid-helium temperature.