Complexation and electrochemical study of 1,5-diselena[5]ferrocenophane: X-ray crystal structures of 1,5-diselena[5]ferrocenophane, and silver, mercury complexes

The silver(I) and mercury(II) complexes of 1,5-diselena[5]ferrocenophane (L) have been synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of L, [AgL2]PF6 and [HgI2L] are reported. The small cavity of the macrocyclic ligand means that the ring must undergo a conformational change to allow coordination, and there is no significant through-space interaction M⋯Fe in any of the complexes. Electrochemical studies showed that no electronic communication between ferrocenylene groups was observed in the silver complex where the through-bond Fe···Fe distances are in the range 13.10 (3)–13.27(3) Å.