Electrochemical parameterization of 1,1′-disubstituted cobaltocenium compounds

Two new 1,1′-disubstituted cobaltocenium compounds, [(C5H4CHEt2)2Co][PF6] and [(C5H4SiMe3)2Co][PF6], were synthesized and the X-ray crystal structures were determined. The electrochemistry of seven 1,1′-disubstituted cobaltocenium compounds and the analogous ferrocene compounds was studied in methylene chloride using cyclic voltammetry. The affect of the various substituents on the redox potentials of these compounds was examined and trends in the electrochemical data were explored.