New ferrocenyl sulfides and selenides. Preparation and application as efficient selective hydrogenation catalysts

A series of ferrocenyl sulfides and selenides, C/sub 5/H/sub 5/Fe(C/sub 5/H/sub 3/-1-CH/sub 2/NMe/sub 2/-2-ER) (E = S, Se; R = n-Pr, n-Bu, s-Bu, t-Bu, Bz, 4-tolyl, 4-ClPh), have been made from the appropriate ferrocene precursors via lithiation and reaction with RSSR or RSeSeR. The following techniques were used for characterization: /sup 1/H and /sup 13/C NMR, IR, HS, and elemental analysis. The ferrocenyl sulfide derivatives readily chelate platinum(II) and palladium(II) dichloride to form heterobimetallic complexes, C/sub 5/H/sub 5/Fe(C/sub 5/H/sub 3/-1-CH/sub 2/NMe/sub 2/-2SeMe)PtCl/sub 2/ and C/sub 5/H/sub 5/Fe(C/sub 5/H/sub 3/-1-CH/sub 2/NMe/sub 2/=2-Sr)PdCl/sub 2/ (R = Me, n-Pr, n-Bu, i-Bu, t-Bu, i-Pent, Ph, Bz, 4-tolyl, 4-ClPh). /sup 1/H and /sup 13/C NMR spectra were obtained, and IR, MS, melting point, and elemental analysis data of these bimetallic complexes are presented. The palladium(II) ferrocenyl sulfide complexes are good selective homogeneous and heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts for the reduction of conjugated dienes to monoenes at room temperature.