Regioselective protonation of ferrocene in superacid and formation of a C—H—Fe bond. An experimental and theoretical study of the structure and dynamics of the ferrocenonium ion

Protonation of ferrocene has been suggested to take place on carbon (exo-protonation) or iron (endo-protonation). However, experiments have not been conclusive because of interfering exchange reactions. Now low-temperature protonation of ferrocene and [2H10]-ferrocene in superacid and direct observation of the carbocation by 1H NMR at low temperature shows only primary protonation and that it exclusively takes place in an endo-fashion. Studies by DFT calculations using B3LYP hybrid functional indicate the presence of an intramolecular nonlinear C—H—Fe bond and that the proton might be delocalized between carbon and iron. Potential energy barriers for degenerate rearrangements of the hydride bridged carbocation are low, suggesting that the proton might be delocalized between all 10 carbons and iron. The NMR results are consistent with such an interpretation.Key words: regioselective, protonation, superacid, ferrocenonium ion.