The Use of the Neutral Bis-cyclopentadienyl Metal Compounds of Iron, Cobalt, and Nickel in the Catalysis or Hydrogen­ation Reactions

The neutral bis-cyclopentadienyl metal compounds of iron, cobalt, and nickel were prepared and studied as possible sources of catalytically active iron, cobalt, and nickel. Nickelocene and cobaltocene are re­duced to the free metal and cyclopentane in cyclohexane solution with hydrogen in the absence of a catalyst using hydrogen at 1000 psi. The reduction of nickelocene takes place at 60°, and the reduction o! cobaltocene occurs at 160-170°. Induction periods were observed. The hydrogen reduction of ferrocene was not achieved. The hydrogenation reactions of benzene , cyclohexene , acetone , ethyl laurate , nitrobenzene , and nitroethane were studied with nickelocene and cobaltocene added as sources of nickel and cobalt, respectively.