Abstract
The crystal and molecular structure of a fragment of a face-to-face metallocene polymer, the [2,3]-oligomer(2a, n = 2) of 1,8-diferrocenylnaphthalene(1a), has been determined in order to better define the structural features of the polymer. The molecular structure of this compound shows the same form and magnitude of molecular distortions as those found in the monomeric unit 1a. An unusual feature of the oligomer is the cis arrangement of the two naphthalene nuclei, which brings several of the carbon centers on each naphthalene ring in close proximity. These structural aspects are discussed in the context of possible structures for the related polymer.