Synthesis, molecular structure and reactivity of new biferrocenylpropane derivatives

New biferrocenylpropane derivatives FcC(CH3)(2)Fc'-C C-R [Fc = C5H5FeC5H4; Fc' = C5H5FeC5H3, R = C6H5 (L-1), Fc (L-2)] and their complexes [FcC(CH3)(2)Fc'-C C-R][Co-2(CO)(6)] [R = C6H5 (1); R = Fc (2)] have been synthesized by the Castro-Stephens coupling reaction and the reactions of ligands L-1, L-2 with Co-2(CO)(8). Compounds L-1, L-2, 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, H-1 (C-13) NMR and MS, and the molecular structures of ligands L-1, L-2 were determined by X-ray single crystal analysis. The electrochemical properties of L-1, L-2, 1 and 2 demonstrate two or three resolved one-electron redox processes.