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cyclopentadienyl

chemical compound
Also known as: cp

Quick Summary

The term "cyclopentadienyl" refers to a ligand (C₅H₅) that plays a significant role in organometallic chemistry. It is derived from cyclopentadiene, a colorless liquid unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon with the formula C₅H₆. Cyclopentadiene is obtained from coal tar distillation and readily polymerizes into a stable dimer.12

Cyclopentadienyl ligands can bond to metal atoms in various ways, most commonly as a pentahapto ligand, contributing five electrons. These ligands are crucial in forming stable organometallic compounds, such as ferrocene, where the metal atom is situated between two planar rings, earning them the informal name "sandwich compounds". These compounds exhibit remarkable stability and can undergo reactions similar to those of aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene.1

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