Redox processes of fluctuating pentaphenyl(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentadiene
derivatives on platinum electrode in acetonitrile are studied by cyclic vol
tammetry. The reduction of derivatives of pentaphenyl-cyclopentadiene C5Ph5
M yields a radical anion which decomposes to anion M- and stable radical C5
Ph5. the latter reduces to C5Ph5-. In the first stage of oxidation of these
compounds, a stable radical cation forms, with substituent M intact. Reduc
tion of derivatives of pentamethoxycarbonylcyclopentadiene [C-5(CO2Me)(5)]M
yields a dianion. Such electrochemical behavior of fluctuating cyclopentad
iene compounds reveals additional information on the mechanism of displacem
ent of the element-centered substituents M in them.