Cerocene
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cerocene is a organometallic complex with the chemical formula Ce(C8H8)2 (Ce(cot)2).[1][2] It is a sandwich compound consisting of a central cerium atom and two cyclooctatetraenide rings.
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| Names | |
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| Other names
Cerium di-cyclooctatraene | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| Properties | |
| Ce(C8H8)2 | |
| Molar mass | 348.423 |
| Appearance | red crystal |
| Melting point | 290 °C (With Decomposition) |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Preparation
Cerocene can be prepared by reducing cerium(III) di-cyclooctatraene anion salts:[1]
- Ce(C8H8)2K → Ce(C8H8)2 + K+
Chemical properties
Cerocene decomposes when exposed to water or oxygen to yield non-stoichiometric cerium-oxides and cyclooctratraene derivitives.[2]
It undergoes a disproportionation, leading to an equilibrium between cerocene and a double-decker structure containing two cerium atoms:[2]
- 2 Ce(C8H8)2 ⇌ Ce2(C8H8)3 + C8H8
Although the cyclooctatetraenide ligand is usually considered a dianion and therefore cerocene is identified as a Ce(IV) complex, theoretical and experimental analysis of the compound indicates that is more correctly described containing a Ce(III) atom.[1]
Related compounds
Cerocene is a known precursor for uranocene, U(C8H8)2:[1]
- Ce(C8H8)2 + UCl3 ⇌ U(C8H8)2 + CeCl3
Cerocene is commonly confused with the compound tris(cyclopentadienyl)cerium.