Synthesis and reactivity of the ferrocene-derived phosphine [Fe(eta-C5H5)-{eta-C5H4CH2P(CH2OH)(2)}]

The air-stable compound [Fe(eta-C5H5){eta-C5H4CH2P(CH2OH)(2)}] 1 has been prepared by the reaction of [Fe-(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5H4CH2NMe3)]I with an excess of P(CH2OH)(3). Compound 1 has been used to produce a range of other new compounds, thus demonstrating its versatility as a starting material; the phosphine oxide [Fe(eta-C5H5) {eta-C5H4CH2P(O)(CH2OH)(2)}] 2, phosphine sulfide [Fe(eta-C5H5){eta-C5H4CH2P(S)(CH2OH)(2)}] 3, and other derivatives [Fe(eta-C5H5){eta-C5H4CH2P(CH2CH2CN)(2)}] 4, [Fe(eta-C5H5){eta-C5H4CH2P(CH2NEt2)(2)}] 5, [Fe(eta-C5H5){eta-C5H4CH2P(O)(CH2NEt2)(2)}] 6, [Fe(eta-C5H5){eta-C5H4CH2P(Me)(CH2OH)(2)}]I 7 and [Fe(eta-C5H5)-{eta-C5H4CH2P(Me)CH2OH}] 8. Crystal structure determinations for 1, 3 and 7 are reported and the hydrogen bonding of each structure described.