SOLID-STATE STRUCTURES OF CYCLOPENTADIENYLLITHIUM, CYCLOPENTADIENYLSODIUM, AND CYCLOPENTADIENYLPOTASSIUM - DETERMINATION BY HIGH-RESOLUTIONPOWDER DIFFRACTION

The structures of MCp (M = Li, Na, K; Cp = cyclopentadienyl), some of the most important precursors in, synthetic organometallic chemistry, have been, investigated. All three compounds form polymeric ''multidec ker structures''. In LiCp and NaCp the metal atoms form a ''string of pearls'' whereas the potassium atoms in KCp are arranged in a zigzag c hain that interacts with neighboring chains.