Chemistry of Boranes. XXXII. A New Synthetic Route for Preparation of Mixed Cyclopentadienyl-Metallocarborane Complexes

Abstract
The anion C2B9H12 , prepared in situ by alkaline methanolysis of o-carborane, reacts without isolation with MCI2 (M = Co, Fe) and cyclopentadiene, affording in high yield a mixed sandwich complex C5H5-M-C2B9H11. Under these conditions, an undesirable formation of symmetrical (C5H5)2M and /(C2B9H11)2M/ complexes is remarkably low yield. This modification allows the preparation of a new neutral complex, 3, 6(C5H5)2-3, 6-Co2-1, 2- C2B8H10.