A novel [6]ferrocenophane containing a N–Si–C–C–Si–N bridge, in equilibrium by ring-opening with an 1,1′-diaminoferrocene derivative

The reaction of 1,1′-diaminoferrocene 1 with 1,2-bis(chlorodimethylsilyl)ethane in the presence of triethylamine leads to the ferrocene derivative 5 bearing in 1-position the amino group and in 1′-position an azadisilacyclopentyl ring. Complex 5 is shown to be in equilibrium with the 1,6,2,5-diazadisila-[6]ferrocenophane 6. Both complexes 5 and 6 were characterised by X-ray structural analysis, and in solution by 1H, 13C and 29Si NMR spectroscopy.