The Synthesis, Purification, and
Characterization of Ferrocene
Brandon C. Dobbertin
Adam J. Waldack
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Project Goals
Synthesis, Purification, and
Characterization of Ferrocene
 Help in the Synthesis, Purification,
and Characterization of Chromium
(II) Acetate
 Achieve the above goals by end of
Fall Semester

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Description
The preparation of ferrocene in a
teaching laboratory setting can be
accomplished by the use of potassium
hydroxide with cyclopentidiene, to form
potassium cyclopentidiene, which is then
reacted with Iron (II) chloride and the
resulting slurry purified by sublimation.
The final product obtained is then
characterized using FTIR and melting
point information.
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Background Information of
Ferrocene

“Accidental” Discovery

Led to Development and Research in
Organo-metallic Chemistry

Earliest and Best Known of the
“Sandwich” Compounds
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Ferrocene Structure
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Properties of Ferrocene

Stability
due to
Molecular
Orbital
Theory
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Properties of Ferrocene Cont.

Stability due to “Sandwich”
configuration

Orange Color

Insoluble in Water
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Techniques Used

Fractional Distillation Apparatus
8
Techniques Used Cont.

Reaction Apparatus
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Techniques Used Cont.

Sublimation
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Team/Resources

Special Thanks
– Adam Waldack, Dr. Neu
– SCSU Chemistry Instruments
– SCSU Chemistry Labs
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Procedure

Chemicals Used
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Procedure Cont.

Fractional Distillation

Reaction Apparatus

Sublimation

Characterization
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Schedule

Ferrocene Time Table
Synthesis First Attempt
Synthesis Second Attempt
Characterization
Start
Middle
Finish
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Characterization

FT-IR
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Characterization Cont.

Melting Point
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Current Status

Overview of progress against my
schedule
– On-track in completion of synthesis and
purification
– Behind in Characterization
– Ahead in write-up and presentation
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Unexpected Delays or Issues

Synthesis re-done

Computer failure
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Related Documents

References
Lab Manuel, J. Birmingham, “Synthesis of
Cyclopentidiene Metal Compounds,” Adv.
Organometallic Chem., 2, 365 (1965); G. E.
Coates, M. L. H. Green, and K. Wade,
Organometallic Compounds, vol. 2,
Methuen & Co. Ltd., London, 1968, pp. 90115; W. L. Jolly, Inorg. Chem., 6, 1435
(1967); and, W. L. Jolly, “The Synthesis
and Characterization of Inorganic
Compounds,” Chapter 5, Solvents, and
Appendix 4, Compressed Gas Cylinders. 19
Related Documents Cont.

Submit questions
– Brandon C. Dobbertin / 320-252-2798
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What Is This?
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