Chemists have produced millions of organic and organometallic compounds, but only recently have they produced one of the most aesthetically pleasing theoretical molecules after decades of trying – hexaferrocenylbenzene. Peter Vollhardt of the University of California at Berkeley and colleagues have finally succeeded in synthesising this super-crowded organometallic complex. NMR spectroscopy revealed that despite the crowded nature of the molecule this dendritic structure has considerable flexibility and average symmetry at room temperature. The team’s success means this previously elusive structure can be investigated for its electronic, magnetic, optical and catalytic properties.
Read more from David Bradley in the July 1 update of spectroscopyNOW.com.