Cobaltocene

An organometallic compound of cobalt

Cobaltocene crystals

Cobaltocene, also known as bis(cyclopentadienyl)cobalt(II), is an organometallic compound with the formula Co(C_H_)_. It is a member of the metallocene family, which are compounds consisting of a metal sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl anions. Cobaltocene is notable for its bright orange color and its air sensitivity.

Structure and Bonding

Cobaltocene is a sandwich compound, where the cobalt atom is situated between two parallel cyclopentadienyl rings. The compound exhibits a staggered conformation, which is typical for metallocenes. The cobalt center in cobaltocene is in the +2 oxidation state, and the compound is 19-electron, making it paramagnetic.

Synthesis

Cobaltocene can be synthesized by the reaction of cobalt(II) chloride with sodium cyclopentadienide in an inert atmosphere. The reaction proceeds as follows:

<math>\text{CoCl}_2 + 2 \text{NaC}_5\text{H}_5 \rightarrow \text{Co(C}_5\text{H}_5)_2 + 2 \text{NaCl}</math>

The product is typically purified by sublimation under vacuum.

Properties

Cobaltocene is a bright orange solid that is sensitive to air and moisture. It is soluble in nonpolar organic solvents such as benzene and toluene. Due to its paramagnetic nature, cobaltocene is often used in studies of magnetic properties of organometallic compounds.

Applications

Cobaltocene is used as a precursor in the synthesis of other organometallic compounds. It also serves as a reducing agent in organic synthesis and is used in the study of electron transfer processes. Additionally, cobaltocene is of interest in the field of molecular electronics due to its redox properties.

Safety

Cobaltocene should be handled with care, as it is sensitive to air and moisture. It should be stored under an inert atmosphere, such as nitrogen or argon, to prevent decomposition.

Related pages

• Metallocene
• Ferrocene
• Nickelocene