Chromocene

Ernst Otto Fischer, who shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for work on sandwich compounds, first described the synthesis of chromocene. One simple method of preparation involves the reaction of chromium(II) chloride with sodium cyclopentadienide:

CrCl₂ + 2 NaC₅H₅ → Cr(C₅H₅)₂ + 2 NaCl

Such syntheses are typically conducted in tetrahydrofuran. Decamethylchromocene, Cr[C₅(CH₃)₅]₂, can be prepared analogously from LiC₅(CH₃)₅. Chromocene can also be prepared from chromium(III) chloride in a redox process:

2 CrCl₃ + 6 NaC₅H₅ → 2 Cr(C₅H₅)₂ + C₁₀H₁₀ + 6 NaCl

The structure of chromocene has been verified by X-ray crystallography. The average Cr, C bond length is 215.1(13) pm. Each molecule contains an atom of chromium bound between two planar systems of five carbon atoms known as cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings in a sandwich arrangement, which is the reason its formula is often abbreviated as Cp₂Cr. Chromocene is structurally similar to ferrocene, the prototype for the metallocene class of compounds. Electron diffraction studies suggest that the Cp rings in chromocene are eclipsed (point group D_5h) rather than staggered (point group D_5d), though the energy barrier to rotation is small.

With only 16 valence electrons, it does not follow the 18-electron rule. It is a paramagnetic compound.

The main reactivity associated with chromocene follow from it being highly reducing and the lability of the Cp ligands.

The complex exhibits diverse reactions, usually involving displacement of one cyclopentadienyl ring. Carbonylation has been examined in detail, leads ultimately to chromium hexacarbonyl. An intermediate is cyclopentadienylchromium tricarbonyl dimer:

2 Cr(C₅H₅)₂ + 6 CO → [Cr(C₅H₅)(CO)₃]₂ + "(C₅H₅)₂"

Chromocene provides a convenient route for preparing the anhydrous form of chromium(II) acetate, a useful precursor to other chromium(II) compounds. The reaction involves the displacement of cyclopentadienyl ligands by the formation of cyclopentadiene:

4 CH₃CO₂H + 2 Cr(C₅H₅)₂ → Cr₂(O₂CCH₃)₄ + 4 C₅H₆

Chromocene decomposes on contact with silica gel to give the Union Carbide catalyst for ethylene polymerization, although other synthetic routes exist for the formation of this important catalyst.

Chromocene is highly reactive toward air and could ignite upon exposure to the atmosphere.