Synthesis,electrochemical properties and fungicidal activity of 1,1′‐bis(aroyl)ferrocenes and their derivatives

Reaction of functionalized cyclopentadienyl sodium CH₃O₂CArC(O)CpNa (Ar = aryl and Cp = cyclopentadienyl) with FeCl₂ in a 2:1 ratio gives 1,1′‐bis(aroyl)ferrocenes [CH₃O₂CArC(O)Cp]₂Fe in reasonable yields. Upon treatment of these aroyl compounds with NaBH₄, the ketone carbonyl is reduced to yield compounds [CH₃O₂CArCH(OH)Cp]₂Fe, while with the stronger reductive reagent LiAlH₄, diols [HOCH₂ArCH(OH)Cp]₂Fe are obtained. All new compounds were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopic analyses. Their electrochemical behavior was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The structure of [CH₃O₂CC₁₀H₆C(O)Cp]₂Fe was further confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. In addition, the fungicidal activities of these new compounds were also determined in vitro. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.