Structural characterization of a dicoordinated bis(ferrocenyl)aluminum cation

This study reports the synthesis and structural characterization of a stable dicoordinated organoaluminum cation. The bis(ferrocenyl)aluminum cation, featuring sterically encumbered ferrocenyl substituents, was isolated and its solid-state structure was analyzed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The electron-deficient aluminum center could be expected to exhibit strong Lewis acidity, even though it is stabilized by interactions with the ferrocenyl moieties. This research contributes to the synthesis of a new type of low-coordinated Group-13 cationic species and their potential utility as Lewis acids.