Activation of σ(C-H) bonds of [Fe{(η5-C5H4)-C(Me)=N-N= C(H)(C6H3-2,6-R)}2] (with R = Cl or H) promoted by palladium(II)

The synthesis, characterisation and the study of the reactivity of the novel and bifunctional ferrocenyl Schiff bases [Fe{(eta(5)-C5H4)-C(Me)=N-N=C(H)(C6H3-2,6-R-2)}(2)] (with R = Cl or H) with palladium(II) salts under different experimental conditions are reported. The treatment of Na-2[PdCl4], Na(CH3COO) .3H(2)O and the corresponding ligand [Fe{(eta(5)-C5H4)-C(Me)=N-N= C(H)(C(6)H(3-)2,6-R-2)}(2)] (with R = Cl or H) (in a 2:2:1 molar ratio) in methanol for 6 days followed by the addition of triphenylphosphine (PPh3), and a SiO2 column chromatography, allowed the isolation of the two isomers (meso- and D,L- forms) of the heterotrimetallic complexes of general formula [Pd-2{Fe[(eta(5)-C5H3)-C(Me)=N-N=C(H)(C6H5-2,6-R-2)](2)}Cl-2(PPh3)(2)], (with R = Cl or H). (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.