Synthesis of ferrocene paracyclophanes

Paracyclophanes containing one or two ferrocene units can be efficiently synthesized directly from 1,1′-di(hydroxymethyl)ferrocene and aromatic dithiols. In the reaction with di(4,4′-dimercaptomethylphenyl)methane the mononuclear paracyclophane was formed, while with the dithiophenols di(4,4′-dimercaptophenyl)methane and di(4,4′-dimercaptophenyl)ether, cyclophanes bearing two ferrocene units were obtained. For comparison three open-chain analogues were also prepared.