Synthesis of
A series of 1,1'-dicinnamoylferrocenes were converted to the corresponding [3]ferrocenophane diols (4a-e) in a stereoselective manner by using samarium diiodide to effect the intramolecular coupling reaction, aldol reaction, and reduction in one-pot operation. The major reaction pathway might be derived from a samarium chelated transition state (I(A)()) having the moieties of s-cis enone and (Z)-enolate. A solid-state structure of such [3]ferrocenophane diol product showed that the cyclopentadienyl groups were in an eclipsed orientation and slightly tilted.
Jong
SJ
Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106, Republic of China.
Fang
JM