The synthesis and characterisation of bis(diisopropylphosphoryl)ferrocene iPr2P(O)-Fc-P(O)iPr2, bis(diisopropylthiophosphoryl)ferrocene iPr2P(S)-Fc-P(S)iPr2, bis(diisopropylselenophosphoryl)ferrocene iPr2P(Se)-Fc-P(Se)iPr2, the oxidised derivatives of

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterisation of three chalcogenophosphoryl ligands derived from ferrocene is reported. The synthesis was based on the oxidation of Fe[(eta (5)-C5H4)P ' Pr-2](2) by elementary sulfur and selenium, and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. All new compounds were characterised by X-ray crystallography and comparison with their aryl analogues was made. Contrary to Fe[(eta (5)-C5H4)P(E)Ph-2](2) (E = O, S, Se), the prepared compounds are not centrosymmetric, with the iso-propyl groups showing more flexibility than the phenyl substituents. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.