Synthesis and characterization of nonamethylrhodocenium and iridocenium hexafluorophosphate salts

Nonamethylrhodocenium hexafluorophosphate and nonamethyliridocenium hexafluorophosphate have been obtained by reaction of lithium tetramethylcyclopentadienide with the appropriate dichloropentamethylcyclopentadienyl metal dimers, followed by treatment with ammonium hexafluorophosphate. The crystal structures of nonamethyliridocenium hexafluorophosphate and 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylrhodocenium hexafluorophosphate have been determined and compared to related structures. The electrochemical properties of the new cations are compared to those of other group 9 metallocenium species.