Organometallic derivatives V. The lithiation of ferrocenylmethyl cyanide

Ferrocenylmethyl cyanide has been dilithiated with n-butyllithium and condensation of the lithiated intermediate with benzyl chloride gave α,α-dibenzylferrocenylmethyl cyanide. The lithioferrocene was also condensed with methyl iodide, butylbromide and 1,2-dichloroethane to give the corresponding α-disubstituted ferrocenylmethyl cyanides. The reactions of these α-disubstituted ferrocenylmethyl cyanides with n-butyllithium and lithium aluminium hydride have been investigated.