Ferrocene and transition metal bis(dicarbollides) as platform for design of rotatory molecular switches

Abstract

Design of rotatory molecular switches based on extremely stable sandwich organometallic complexes ferrocene and bis(dicarbollide) complexes of transition metals is reviewed. The "on"-"off" switching in these systems can be controlled by various external stimuli such as change of the solution pH, interactions with coordinating species or redox reactions involving the central atom or substituents in the ligands.