Ferrocenophanes

Ferrocenophanes are organometallic molecules built from ferrocene that iconic iron atom sandwiched between two cyclopentadienes.

In this ring, the iron atom is reimagined as a pearl, cradled between two squared rings, with the band itself standing in for the bridge that ties the structure together, a wearable sketch of one of organometallic chemistry's most elegant molecules.

By linking the two rings with a bridge, the rings can no longer rotate freely, and the whole sandwich tilts at an angle. Their distinctive bent geometry has made them a favorite of chemists studying ring strain, and a building block for polymers with unusual electronic properties.