ZnII and CdII Ferrocenechalcogenolate Complexes.

The preparation of the ferrocene-based reagents FcSSiMe3 ( 1) and fc(SSiMe3)2 ( 2) [Fc = (η5-C5H5)Fe(η5-C5H4)-; fc = Fe(η5-C5H4)2-] is reported together with their use in the formation of the tetrahedral zinc complexes [( N, N′-tmeda)Zn(SFc)2] ( 3a) and [( N, N′-tmeda)Zn(S2fc)] ( 4a), respectively (tmeda = tetramethylethylenediamine). The structures of these coordination complexes are compared to the new ferroceneselenolates [( N, N′-tmeda)Zn(SeFc)2] ( 3b) and [( N, N′-tmeda)Zn(Se2fc)] ( 4b), themselves prepared using FcSeSiMe3 and fc(SeSiMe3)2, respectively. The synthesis and characterization of dimeric [Cd2(µ-EFc)2(EFc)2(PPr3)2] ( 5a, E = S; 5b, E = Se) are also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]