Synthesis of novel Group 3 and lanthanide complexes containing the ferrocenyl moiety

The thesis describes the synthesis of novel yttrium(III), europium(III) and ytterbium(III) complexes with polydentate ligands containing the ferrocenyl moiety. In particular, a chelating beta-diketonate ligand having formula [FcC(O)CH(CO)Me]- has been used for the preparation of homo- and heteroleptic complexes, these last having N-donor ligands such as 1,10-phenathroline or tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate in their coordination sphere. Further complexes were obtained by reacting bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene dioxide with proper Group 3 and lanthanide precursors, having nitromalonaldehyde or bromomalonaldehyde as supporting ligands. In all the cases, the characterizations were corroborated by electrochemical measurements and diffusion spectroscopy. Reversible or quasi-reversible one-electron oxidation of the ferrocenyl moiety was detected for the new complexes, even if the corresponding ferricinium-based compounds resulted quite strong oxidants.