UCLA

Ferrocene-chelating heteroscorpionate compounds based on [fc(PPh2)(BH[(3-R-5-R'-1-H)2pz]2)] (fc = 1,1'-ferrocenediyl, pz = pyrazole) are studied and characterized for their role in the synthesis of block copolymers. The ferrocene scaffold is part of a heteroscorpionate ligand that supports late transition metals. A zinc complex, [fc(PPh2)(BH[(3,5-Me-1H)2pz]2)]Zn(μ-OCH2Ph), was synthesized previously and shown to exist in a dimeric state. Herein, the substituents on the pyrazole fragments of the scorpionate are replaced with bulkier groups to force the formation of a monomeric compound in order to arrive at a redox switchable catalyst.