title: Scandium arene inverted-sandwich complexes supported by a ferrocene diamide ligand.
abstract: The synthesis and characterization of the first scandium arene inverted-sandwich complexes supported by a ferrocene diamide ligand (NN(fc)) are reported. Through the use of (NN(fc))ScI(THF)(2) as a precursor and potassium graphite (KC(8)) as a reducing agent, the naphthalene and anthracene complexes [(NN(fc))Sc](2)(μ-C(10)H(8)) and [(NN(fc))Sc](2)(μ-C(14)H(10)), respectively, were synthesized and isolated in moderate to high yields. Both molecular structures feature an inverted-sandwich geometry and exhibit short Fe-Sc distances. DFT calculations were employed to gain understanding of the electronic structures of these new scandium arene complexes. A variable-temperature NMR spectroscopic study of [(NN(fc))Sc](2)(μ-C(14)H(10)) indicated that two different structures are accessible in solution. Reactivity studies showed that the naphthalene complex [(NN(fc))Sc](2)(μ-C(10)H(8)) can be converted to the corresponding anthracene species [(NN(fc))Sc](2)(μ-C(14)H(10)) and that [(NN(fc))Sc](2)(μ-C(10)H(8)) can act as either a reductant or a proton acceptor. The reaction of [(NN(fc))Sc](2)(μ-C(10)H(8)) with excess pyridine led to a rare example of C-C bond formation between two pyridine rings at the para position.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Wenliang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Saeed I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Paula L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Diaconescu