Thermochemistry of biscyclopentadienyl metal compounds

Abstract

Standard free energies of formation for the temperature range 298- 1000°K are calculated for C₅H₅, C₅H₆, and the biscyclopentadienyl compounds of iron, ruthenium, nickel, and magnesium by combining reported heats of formation at 298°K with calculated ideal-gas thermodynamic properties. The results are used to predict the thermodynamic feasibility of three types of reactions-the formation of biscyclopentadienyl metal compounds, their thermal decomposition, and their reduction with hydrogen. It is shown that the predictions are in agreement with qualitative chemical observations.