Electrochemical characterization of some ferrocenylcarboxylic acids

Abstract

Several carboxy-substituted ferrocene compounds are prepared and investigated by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile solution. The half-wave potentials of most of the acids studied (E 1/2=0.34−0.58 V versus s.c.e.) are more positive than that of ferrocene (0.33 V), reflecting a diminished susceptibility to oxidation of these compounds relative to the parent metallocene. Only β-ferrocenylpropionic acid (0.325 V) is effectively identical with the latter in its oxidation behaviour, and γ-ferrocenylbutyric acid (0.31 V) tends to be more readily oxidized. The results are of interest for subsequent chemical oxidation studies of ferrocenylcarboxylic acids.