Interaction of ferrocene with styrene and methyl methacrylates in the media of different polarity

Abstract

The interaction of ferrocene with styrene and methyl methacrylate in media of different polarity (hexane, tetrachloromethane, and ethanol) has been studied by means of UV spectroscopy using the isomolar series method. For both monomers, intermediate complexes are formed, the medium polarity significantly affecting the complexes formation. Ferrocene acts differently in the interaction with styrene (being the electron acceptor) and methyl methacrylate (being the electron donor). It has been discovered that only in the case of ethanol a charge-transfer complex between ferrocene and styrene is formed. Possible structures of the intermediate complexes have been suggested.