Acceptor‐Substituted Ferrocenium Salts as Strong,Single‐Electron Oxidants: Synthesis,Electrochemistry, Theoretical Investigations,and Initial Synthetic Application

A series of mono‐ and 1,1′‐diheteroatom‐substituted ferrocene derivatives as well as acylated ferrocenes was prepared efficiently by a unified strategy that consists of selective mono‐ and 1,1′‐dilithiation reactions and subsequent coupling with carbon, phosphorus, sulfur and halogen electrophiles. Chemical oxidation of the ferrocene derivatives by benzoquinone, 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyanobenzoquinone, AgPF₆, or 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐oxopiperidinium hexafluorophosphate provided the corresponding ferrocenium salts. The redox potentials of the synthesized ferrocenes were determined by cyclic voltammetry, and it was observed that all new ferrocenium salts have stronger oxidizing properties than standard ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate. An initial application of selected derivatives in an oxidative bicyclization revealed that they mediate the transformation under considerably milder conditions than ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate. Quantum chemical calculations of the reduction potentials of the substituted ferrocenium ions were carried out by using a standard thermodynamic cycle that involved the gas‐phase energetics and solvation energies of the contributing species. A remarkable agreement between theory and experiment was found: the mean average deviation amounted to only 0.030 V and the maximum deviation to 0.1 V. This enabled the analysis of various physical contributions to the computed reduction potentials of these ferrocene derivatives, thereby providing insight into their electronic structure and physicochemical properties.     

Synthesis and structural studies of 1,1'-bis-amino-functionalized ferrocenes, ferrocene salts, and ferrocenium salts

Having isolated and characterized a series of sodium cyclopentadienide salts, we have synthesized a number of 1,1'-bis-amino-functionalized ferrocenes, 1,1'-bis-amino-functionalized ferrocene salts, and 1,1'-bis-amino-functionalized ferrocenium salts. Among these are the first crystallographically characterized examples of cyclopentadienyl units containing (piperidin-N-ylethyl)- and (pyrid-2-ylmethyl)cyclopentadienyl side chains. In the cases of some of the ferrocenes, ferrocene salts, and ferrocenium salts, there are some interesting structural features in the solid state. These include C-H...N and C-H...pi cloud interactions as well as N-H...O and N-H...F hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis of mono-amino-functionalised ferrocene, ferrocene salts and ferrocenium salts

A number of mono-amino-functionalised ferrocenes, ferrocene salts and a mono-amino-functionalised ferrocenium salt have been synthesised and characterised. This represents a novel method of accessing these important classes of molecules. In the cases of some of the ferrocene salts, there are some interesting structural features in the solid state. These include N-H...O and N-H...F hydrogen bonds.     

The electrochemistry of some ferrocene derivatives: redox potential and substituent effects

Fifteen ferrocene derivatives I–IX (four of which have been prepared for the first time: II, IIIf, V and VIII) have been prepared by Friedel–Crafts acetylation, Claisen condensation, Michael reaction, and ring closure by hydrazine hydrate. The anodic behaviour of these compounds has been studied by cyclic voltammetry at a platinum electrode in an aprotic solvent. All these substituted ferrocenes exhibit a reversible one‐electron oxidation reduction centred at each iron centre, and the effect of substituents on the half‐wave oxidation potential is discussed in terms of their electronic properties. Linear correlations have been observed between these potentials and the Hammett σ_x constant for the substituents. Cyclic voltammetry has been carried out for ferrocene derivatives IIIa, V and IX. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Reference Electrode for Electrochemical and Cryoelectrochemical Use in Tetrahydrofuran Solvent

We report a reference electrode for direct use in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at low temperatures. A reference solution containing equimolar amounts of ferrocene/ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate (Fc/Fc⁺) are prepared to give a 4 mM solution in THF that contains tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAF) supporting electrolyte thus, minimizing liquid junction potentials. The reference solution is added to a sealed glass tube with a porous frit at one end, and a platinum wire is inserted into the tube. The reference electrode assembly is then inserted into a THF test solution. Potentiometric measurements show that the system responds in the expected Nernstian fashion over the concentration and temperature ranges, 4 mM to 40 μM and 20 °C to ?45 °C respectively. In addition, it is shown by steady–state cyclic voltammetry at a platinum microelectrode that the chemical reactivity of ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate (Fc⁺) otherwise seen in THF is suppressed by ion‐pairing with PF using tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAF) as the supporting electrolyte.     

Synthesis and electrochemistry of 1,1′-bis(phosphino)cobaltocenium compounds

The electrochemistry of 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate ([dppc][PF₆]), 1,1′-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate ([dcpc][PF₆]), 1,1′-bis(di-iso-propylphosphino)cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate ([dippc][PF₆]), and 1-(di-tert-butylphosphino)cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate ([1-dtbpc][PF₆]) was examined in methylene chloride with tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate as the supporting electrolyte. A reversible reductive wave followed by an irreversible wave at more negative potentials was observed. Ten new phosphinothioyl ([dppcS₂][PF₆], [dcpcS₂][PF₆], [dippcS₂][PF₆], [1-dtbpcS][PF₆], and 1,1′-bis(dicyclohexylphosphinothioyl)ferrocene) and phosphinoselenoyl derivatives ([dppcSe₂][PF₆], [dcpcSe₂][PF₆], [dippcSe₂][PF₆], [1-dtbpcSe][PF₆], and 1,1′-bis(dicyclohexylphosphinoselenoyl)ferrocene) were prepared and characterized, and the structures of eight of these compounds were determined. The electrochemistry of these phosphinochalcogenyl cobaltocenium compounds, as well as the previously prepared [dppcO₂][PF₆], displayed two reversible reductive waves at potentials less negative than that of the free phosphines. A correlation was found to exist between the Hammett substituent constant σ_p and the reduction potentials of these compounds. In addition, the phosphinoselenoyl [dppcSe₂][PF₆], [dcpcSe₂][PF₆], and [dippcSe₂][PF₆] displayed an electrochemically irreversible oxidative wave, potentially indicating an intramolecular Se-Se bonded trication. The electrochemistry of three new and five previously reported transition metal complexes of the general formula [M_nCl₂(P^∩P)][PF₆] (M = Pd or Pt, n = 1, P^∩P = dppc, dcpc or dippc; M = Au, n = 2, P^∩P = dppc or dcpc)) was also examined displaying at least two reductive waves at potentials less negative than that of the free phosphines. Comparison of the electrochemical data with that previously obtained for analogous ferrocenes indicates that a correlation exists between the reduction potentials of the cobaltocenium phosphines and the potentials at which oxidation of the ferrocene phosphines occurs. In addition, the structure of [Au₂Cl₂(dppc)][PF₆] was determined.     

Ferrocenderivate LX. Rationelle synthesen der ferrocen-1,1′-dicarbonsäure sowie von isomeren methyl-, phenyl-ferrocen- und [3]ferrocenophan-mono- und -1,1′-di-carbonsäuren

Mono- or 1,1′-bis-acylation of ferrocene, its mono and 1,1′-dimethyl and phenyl derivatives and of [3]ferrocenophane with o-chlorobenzoyl chloride/AlCl₃ affords the corresponding (isomeric) chlorobenzoyl ferrocenes in high yields which can be separated by column, layer or high pressure liquid chromatography and in the case of the monomethylferrocene monoketones also by crystallization. The cleavage of the (o-chlorobenzoyl)ferrocenes by potassium-t-butoxide (and traces of water) yields the corresponding ferrocene carboxylic acids except for the α-phenyl derivatives in almost quantitative yields, thus offering a very convenient access to these acids. In all cases the isomer distribution and thereby the relative site reactivities were determined.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and electrochemical study of 1,1′-ferrocenylene labeled amino acids

Unsymmetrical 1,1′-disubstituted ferrocenes bearing an amino acid moiety and a conjugated electron density controlling substituent were synthesized conveniently starting from 1,1′-ferrocenedicarbaldehyde. The novel ferrocene amino acid derivatives were completely characterized from their MS, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra. Their electrochemical behavior was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Their formal redox potentials E_f were slightly influenced by the nature of the amino acid and mainly by the kind of the ethenyl substituent. Furthermore all the (Z)-isomers exhibited a slight anodic shift compared with the corresponding (E)-isomers.     

Application of ferrocenylimidazolium salts as catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Ferrocenylimidazolium salts with methylene and phenyl groups bridging the ferrocenyl and alkylimidazolium moieties were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. Crystal structures of two new compounds are also reported. Cyclic voltammetry was used to analyze the influence of the two bridging groups or spacers on electrochemical properties of the salts relative to the shifts in the formal electrode or peak potentials (E⁰ or E_1/2) of the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple. Results from this study showed that all the salts exhibited higher electrode potentials relative to ferrocene, which is due to the electron‐withdrawing effect of the imidazolium ion on the ferrocenyl moiety. Application of the salts as catalysts in transfer hydrogenation of ketones resulted in high conversion of saturated ketones to corresponding alcohols and turnover numbers as high as 1880. The catalysts were chemoselective towards reduction of the C═C bonds of conjugated 3‐penten‐2‐one and 4‐hexen‐3‐one to yield saturated ketones, while unconjugated 5‐hexen‐2‐one was hydrogenated to an unsaturated alcohol. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vitro DNA scission activity of heterometallocenes

A comparative DNA scission activity study of azaferrocene, N-methyl-azaferrocene iodide and 3,3',4,4'-tetramethyl-1,1'-diphosphaferrocene (featuring iron in a +2 oxidation state), along with ferrocene (iron +2) and ferrocenium (iron +3) cation is described. Experiments indicate a high cleavage activity of azaferrocene and its N-methyl derivative in DMSO. DNA cleavage activity can be slowed down by addition of a free radical scavenger (thiourea) or triggered by addition of a reductive agent (dithiothreitol, DTT). The X-ray crystal structure of the N-methyl-2,5-dimethylazaferrocene cation (iron +2) with hexafluorophosphate as counter anion is also reported.     

One-electron oxidations of ferrocenes: A pulse radiolysis study

Using the pulse radiolysis technique we have studied the oxidation by various inorganic radicals of four water soluble ferrocene derivatives, hydroxyethyl, dimethylaminomethyl, monocarboxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid. We report the second order rate constants for these reactions, the stabilities and spectral properties of the ferrocinium products, and the electrochemically determined ferrocinium/ferrocene redox potentials. We also present preliminary estimates of tyrosine and tryptophan radical redox potentials obtained with the dicarboxylic acid ferrocene derivative as reference, and we discuss the relationship between redox potential differences and the reactivities of the ferrocenes with the inorganic radicals.     

Carbon-Paste Electrodes with Incorporated Lactate Oxidase and Mediators

Abstract

Amperometric bipelectrodes based on carbon paste modified with L-lactate oxidase and mediators are described which are sensitive to L-lactaie. Several ferrocenes and phenoxazine derivatives as mediators are evaluated, with Meldola blue exhibiting the best results.

With ferrocene derivatives the bioelectrodes were operated at potential of 0.2-0.4 V (vs SCE). The apparent Michaelis constants for the calibration curves of the bioelectrodes are different depending on the chosen mediator and varied in the range from 0.9 to 3.6 mM L-lactate. The pH optimum in the case of the 1,1′-dimethylferrocene bioelectrode was 9.3 and the limiting sensitivity was determined to be 31 μA/mM cm^?2. Covered by a Nation membrane, the electrode sensitivity was in the range of 3.2-4.4 μA/mM cm^?2 at pH 7.0 and the calibration range was linear up to 2-2.5 mM L-lactate.

The bioelectrode based on Meldola blue mediated electron transfer at potentials between 0.05-0.25 V. The Km(app) was 17.0 and 18.2 mM at 0.1 and 0.05 V, respectively. The pH optimum of the bioelectrodes was 7.9 and limiting sensitivity - 164μA/mM cm^?2.

At normal physiological level of ascorbic acid (50 μM) in blood the response of the Meldoia blue based sensors was 5.3 % at 0.1 V, whereas that of the 1,1′-dimethylferrocene bioelectrode was 83 % at 0.25 V in comparison to the response observed with physiological levels of L-lactate (2 mM).     

A first one-pot synthesis, isomerization and synthetic utility of mono- and bis Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts of 1,1′-ferrocenedialdehyde

A one-pot synthesis of mono- and bis-Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts of 1,1′-ferrocenedialdehyde has been achieved. These adducts undergo a facile and efficient stereoselective isomerization with a number of saturated, unsaturated, aromatic alcohols, phenols and thiophenol with a montmorillonite K10 clay catalyst to afford highly functionalized trisubstituted alkene derivatives of ferrocene. The synthetic utility of isomerized derivatives has been demonstrated by a ferrocene appended novel macrocycle synthesis, a ferrocenyl bis-triazole synthesis and an evaluation of the liquid crystalline property of a cholesterol derivative of ferrocene.     

Bridged ferrocenes : VII. Synthesis of di- and tri-bridged ferrocenes with pentamethylne chains

Double or successive bridge-enlargement reactions were used on appropriate α-ketones followed by reduction to prepare 1,1′-pentamethyleneferrocene, VIII, 1,1′,3,3′-bis(pentamethylene)ferrocene, XX, and 1,1′,2,2t?,4,4′-tris(penta-methylene)ferrocane, XXX. The bridge-enlarging reactions are discussed, and the PMR spectral behavior of the polybridged ferrocenes is briefly discussed.     

Acetoxymercuration of acylferrocenes a novel synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted ferrocenes

Acetoxymercuration of a series of acylferrocenes has been found to produce appreciable amounts of 1,2- as well as 1,1′-mercurated products. The mercurated derivatives were readily converted into a variety of other unsymmetrical 1,2- and 1,1′-disubstituted ferrocenes. The 1,2-orientation of substituents was inferred by spectra data, and was confirmed by a comparison of products from the mercuration reactions with analogous products obtained from the 2-lithiation of [(dimethylamino)methyl]ferrocene. Both 2-(methoxycarbonyl)biferrocene and 2-acetylbiferrocene have been obtained from mixed Ullmann reactions of iodoferrocene with 2-iodo-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ferrocene and 2-iodo-1-acetylferrocene, respectively.     

Generation of Singlet Oxygen from Ozone Catalysed by Phosphinoferrocenes

A novel chemical source of singlet oxygen based on the conversion of ozone by 1,1-bis(triphenylphosphino)ferrocene as catalyst was developed into a feasible method for a preperative scale. This is, to our best knowledge, the first application of substituted ferrocenes as oxidation catalysts.     

Electronic interactions in oligoferrocenes with cationic, neutral and anionic four-coordinate boron bridges

Dinuclear and trinuclear ferrocene complexes {[Fc2BMe2]Li, [Fc-BMe2-fc-BMe2-Fc]Li2, Fc2B(pyind), [Fc2B(bipy)]PF6, [Fc-B(bipy)-fc-B(bipy)-Fc](PF6)2} bearing anionic, uncharged, and cationic four-coordinate boron bridges have been synthesized (Fc: ferrocenyl; fc: 1,1'-ferrocenylene; pyind: 5-fluoro-2-(2'-pyridyl)indolyl; bipy: 2,2'-bipyridyl). The molecular structures of [Fc2BMe2]Li(12-crown-4)2, [Fc-BMe2-fc-BMe2-Fc](Li(12-crown-4)2)2, Fc2B(pyind), and [Fc2B(bipy)]PF6 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The anionic aggregates [Fc2BMe2]- and [Fc-BMe2-fc-BMe2-Fc]2- are very sensitive to air and moisture whereas bromide salts of their cationic counterparts [Fc(2)B(bipy)]+ and [Fc-B(bipy)-fc-B(bipy)-Fc]2+ may be dissolved in water without decomposition. Cyclic voltammograms of the diferrocene species show two well-resolved one-electron transitions separated by 0.21 V ([Fc2BMe2]Li; Eo' = -0.43 V, -0.64 V; vs. FcH/FcH+), 0.18 V (Fc2B(pyind); Eo' = -0.03 V, -0.21 V), and 0.16 V ([Fc2B(bipy)]PF6; Eo' = +0.23 V, +0.07 V), which indicates electronic interactions between the two ferrocenyl substituents. Two redox waves with an intensity ratio of 1:2 are observed in the cyclic voltammograms of the trinuclear derivatives [Fc-BMe2-fc-BMe2-Fc]Li2 and [Fc-B(bipy)-fc-B(bipy)-Fc](PF6)2. In the case of the BMe(2)-bridged species, the electrochemically unique central ferrocenylene unit is oxidized at a much more cathodic potential value (Eo' = -1.21 V) than the two terminal ferrocenyl substituents (Eo' = -0.51 V). The opposite is true in the case of the B(bipy)-bridged trimer where oxidation of the terminal ferrocenyl groups (Eo' = +0.03 V) precedes oxidation of the internal iron atom (Eo' = +0.26 V). The Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox potentials of the mono- and dianionic species differ to a much larger extent from the redox potential of parent ferrocene (Eo' = 0 V) than the Eo' values of the corresponding mono- and dicationic derivatives. Apart from electrostatic interactions, the electrochemical properties of BMe2- and B(bipy)-bridged oligoferrocenes are determined by the pronounced positive inductive effect of triorganoborate substituents together with positive sigma/pi* hyperconjugation on the one hand and ferrocene-to-B(bipy) charge transfer on the other.     

新型非对称1,1＇-双取代咪唑二茂铁的合成

以二茂铁为原料,通过Friedel-Crafts烷基化反应、Vilsmeier-Haack反应等合成了12个新型1-取代咪唑二茂铁与非对称1,1’-双取代咪唑二茂铁,其结构经1H NMR,IR和ESI-MS表征。     

Oligonuclear ferrocene amides: mixed-valent peptides and potential redox-switchable foldamers

Trinuclear ferrocene tris-amides were synthesized from an Fmoc- or Boc-protected ferrocene amino acid, and hydrogen-bonded zigzag conformations were determined by NMR spectroscopy, molecular modelling, and X-ray diffraction. In these ordered secondary structures orientation of the individual amide dipole moments approximately in the same direction results in a macrodipole moment similar to that of α-helices composed of α-amino acids. Unlike ordinary α-amino acids, the building blocks in these ferrocene amides with defined secondary structure can be sequentially oxidized to mono-, di-, and trications. Singly and doubly charged mixed-valent cations were probed experimentally by Vis/NIR, paramagnetic 1H NMR and M?ssbauer spectroscopy and investigated theoretically by DFT calculations. According to the appearance of intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) bands in solution, the ferrocene/ferrocenium amides are described as Robin-Day class II mixed-valent systems. M?ssbauer spectroscopy indicates trapped valences in the solid state. The secondary structure of trinuclear ferrocene tris-amides remains intact (coiled form) upon oxidation to mono- and dications according to DFT calculations, while oxidation to the trication should break the intramolecular hydrogen bonding and unfold the ferrocene peptide (uncoiled form).     

Stereoselective synthesis of chiral, non-racemic 1,2,3-tri- and 1,3-disubstituted ferrocene derivatives

Chiral, non-racemic 1,2,3-trisubstituted ferrocene derivatives are accessible from monosubstituted ferrocenes through two sequential ortho-deprotonation reactions; removal of the central substituent gives 1,3-disubstituted ferrocenes.