Synthesis and crystal structure of 1,1′-bis{[4-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]methyl}ferrocene, and its complexation with CuI

Abstract

The title compound, [Fe(C13H11N4)2], was synthesized starting from 1,1′-ferrocenedicarboxylic acid in a three-step reaction sequence. The dicarboxylic acid was reduced to 1,1′-ferrocenedimethanol using LiAlH4 and subsequently converted to 1,1′-bis(azidomethyl)ferrocene in the presence of NaN3. The diazide was treated with 2-ethynylpyridine under `click' conditions to give the title compound in 75% yield. The FeII center lies on an inversion center in the crystal. The two pyridyltriazole wings are oriented in an anti conformation and positioned exo from the FeII center. In the solid state, the molecules interact by C—H...N, C—H...π, and π–π interactions. The complexation of the ligand with [Cu(CH3CN)4](PF6) gives a tetranuclear dimeric complex.

Keywords

• 1,1′-bis(pyridyltriazoylmethyl)ferrocene
• crystal structure
• click reaction
• tetradentate ligand
• disubstituted ferrocene
• copper(i) complex