Bis(η⁵-hydropentalenyl)iron

In the structure of bis[(3a,4,5,6,6a-η)-1-hydropentalenyl]iron, [Fe(C₈H₇)₂], two pentalene ligands are parallel. The molecules are packed in chains along the a axis, and there are no significant intermolecular interactions. The title compound shows disorder at the iron position with a 93.3% major and a 6.7% minor component. The structure of the predominant component has been determined. In addition the double bond in one pentalene ligand is disordered. This confirms the results of a previous spectroscopic ¹H NMR study [Katz & Rosenberger (1963). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85, 2030–2031].

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