Synthesis and characterization of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with ferrocenylimidazole

The synthesis and characterization of ferrocenylimidazole complexes of platinum(II) and palladium(II) are described. Reaction of ferrocenylimidazoles with K₂MCl₄ (M = Pd, Pt) using a biphasic system of dichloromethane and ethanol/water provided the corresponding complexes 2a–2j in good yields. New synthetic routes for the synthesis of ferrocenylbenzylethers 2k–2o, bis(4-ferrocenylbenzyl)carbonate [2p] and 4-ferrocenylbenzylacetate [2q] are also described. These products were obtained by the reaction of 4-ferrocenylbenzyl-1H-imidazole-carboxylate and K₂PtCl₄ under various conditions. Compounds 2k–2o were also obtained by alternative routes which do not involve the use of a platinum salt. The crystal structures of 2b, 2q and plausible mechanisms for the formation of 2k, 2p and 2q are reported.