Synthesis of a distanna [2]ferrocenophane and reactivity of [2]ferrocenophanes towards elemental sulfur and selenium

Here we report the synthesis and crystal structure of a new [2]ferrocenophane [Fe(η5-C5H4)2(SntBu2)2] with a sterically demanding distannanediyl bridge. The reactivity of the title compound towards selected main group elements was examined and in addition, this reactivity pattern was established for the related diboranediyl bridged [2]ferrocenophane [Fe(η5-C5H4)2(BNMe2)2].