Structures and charge–discharge properties of spin-carrying ferrocene derivatives

Several ferrocene derivatives (1–6) carrying nitroxide radical were prepared as dual redox compounds. They have distorted molecular structures and exhibit oxidation potentials based on both ferrocene and nitroxide groups except 4. The multi-step charge–discharge processes are discriminated for mono-substituted derivatives with the first discharge capacity up to 400 Ah kg−1 for imino-derivative 3, while relatively characterless profiles are observed for bis-substituted derivatives 4 and 6 with capacity over 300 Ah kg−1.