Efficient synthesis of ferrocenylenones by Friedel-Crafts acylation with EtAlCl2-Me3Al

Abstract

Efficient synthesis of ferrocenyl en ones using a Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction is described. Acryloyl, methacryloyl, crotonoyl, cinnamoyl, and beta-methylcrotonoyl chlorides react with ferrocene in the presence of a Lewis acid (EtAlC2 or EtAlCl2-Me3Al) to give the corresponding ferrocenyl en ones (acryloyl, methacryloyl, crotonoyl, cinnamoyl, and methylcrotonoylferrocenes) in good isolated yields. Besides ferrocenylenones, chloroactylferrocene is also synthesised by this method. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.