Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene

Reliable, intermediate scale preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene (Cp*H) is presented. The revised protocol for the synthesis and purification of the ligand minimizes the need for specialized laboratory equipment while simplifying reaction workups and product purification. Use of Cp*H in the synthesis of [Cp*MCl₂]₂ complexes (M = Ru, Ir) is also described.