Chromocene

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Chromocene
Chromocene
Chromocene
Chromocene
Chromocene
Names
IUPAC name
Bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)chromium(II)
Other names
Dicyclopentadienylchromium(II)
Identifiers
3D model (
JSmol
)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard
 100.013.670 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 215-036-4
3366
RTECS number
  • GB7600000
UNII
UN number 1325
  • InChI=1/2C5H5.Cr/c2*1-2-4-5-3-1;/h2*1-5H;/q2*-1;+2
    Key: TYYBBNOTQFVVKN-UHFFFAOYAS
  • [Cr+2].[cH-]1cccc1.c1[cH-]ccc1
Properties
C10H10Cr
Molar mass 182.186 g·mol−1
Appearance dark red crystals
Density 1.43 g/cm3
Melting point 168 to 170 °C (334 to 338 °F; 441 to 443 K)
Boiling point Sublimes (under vacuum)
Insoluble
Structure
Pseudooctahedral
see Ferrocene
0 D
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Pyrophoric
GHS labelling:
GHS02: FlammableGHS05: CorrosiveGHS07: Exclamation mark
Danger
H302, H312, H314, H315, H317, H319, H332, H335
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g. turpentineFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
1
0
0
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Fe(C5H5)2
Ni(C5H5)2
bis(benzene)chromium
chromium(II) acetate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Chromocene is the

organochromium compound with the formula [Cr(C5H5)2]. Like structurally related metallocenes, chromocene readily sublimes in a vacuum and is soluble in non-polar organic solvents. It is more formally known as bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)chromium(II).[1]

Synthesis

Ernst Otto Fischer, who shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for work on sandwich compounds,[2] first described the synthesis of chromocene.[3][4] One simple method of preparation involves the reaction of chromium(II) chloride with sodium cyclopentadienide:

CrCl2 + 2 NaC5H5 → Cr(C5H5)2 + 2 NaCl

Such syntheses are typically conducted in tetrahydrofuran. Decamethylchromocene, Cr[C5(CH3)5]2, can be prepared analogously from LiC5(CH3)5. Chromocene can also be prepared from chromium(III) chloride in a redox process:[5]

2 CrCl3 + 6 NaC5H5 → 2 Cr(C5H5)2 + C10H10 + 6 NaCl

Structure and bonding

The structure of chromocene has been verified by

pm.[6]
Each molecule contains an atom of chromium bound between two planar systems of five carbon atoms known as cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings in a sandwich arrangement, which is the reason its formula is often abbreviated as Cp2Cr. Chromocene is structurally similar to ferrocene, the prototype for the metallocene class of compounds. Electron diffraction studies suggest that the Cp rings in chromocene are eclipsed (point group D5h) rather than staggered (point group D5d), though the energy barrier to rotation is small.[7]

With only 16 valence electrons, it does not follow the 18-electron rule.[8] It is a paramagnetic compound.

Reactions

The main reactivity associated with chromocene follow from it being highly reducing and the lability of the Cp ligands.

The complex exhibits diverse reactions, usually involving displacement of one cyclopentadienyl ring. Carbonylation has been examined in detail, leads ultimately to chromium hexacarbonyl. An intermediate is cyclopentadienylchromium tricarbonyl dimer:[9]

2 Cr(C5H5)2 + 6 CO → [Cr(C5H5)(CO)3]2 + "(C5H5)2"

Chromocene provides a convenient route for preparing the anhydrous form of chromium(II) acetate,[10] a useful precursor to other chromium(II) compounds. The reaction involves the displacement of cyclopentadienyl ligands by the formation of cyclopentadiene:

4 CH3CO2H + 2 Cr(C5H5)2 → Cr2(O2CCH3)4 + 4 C5H6

Chromocene decomposes on contact with silica gel to give the Union Carbide catalyst for ethylene polymerization, although other synthetic routes exist for the formation of this important catalyst.

Safety

Chromocene is highly reactive toward air and could ignite upon exposure to the atmosphere.

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-470-25762-3
    .
  2. ^ "The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1973". Nobel Foundation. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  3. S2CID 98255073
    .
  4. doi:10.1515/znb-1955-0303
    .
  5. ISBN 978-0632041626
    .
  6. doi:10.1016/0022-328X(95)05747-D
    .
  7. ISBN 978-0-08-046518-0
    , retrieved 2023-03-26
  8. ISBN 3-527-28165-7
    .
  9. doi:10.1002/zfch.19830230903
    .
  10. doi:10.1016/0022-328X(85)87428-3
    .
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