Sandwich compounds: ferrocene
Organometallic Compounds · Chemistry
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Ferrocene is orange, stable to 400°C, and undergoes electrophilic substitution. Explain. Step 1: Two aromatic Cp⁻ rings sandwich Fe²⁺; 18 e⁻ config → very stable. Step 2: The rings retain aromatic character → electrophilic substitution like benzene. Step 3: Fe(II) d⁶ + 12 e⁻ = 18 — noble-gas stability explains heat resistance. Step 4: Orange colour from charge-transfer/ d–d transitions. Aromatic sandwich!