Reductive Deoxygenation of α-Ferrocenyl Carbonyls and Alcohols to Alkylferrocenes by Borane−Dimethyl Sulfide

Abstract

The reductive deoxygenation of α-ferrocenyl aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and carboxylic acid into the corresponding alkylferrocenes is accomplished solely by borane−dimethyl sulfide (BMS) in the absence of any Lewis acid catalyst. This is the first example of such reactivity of BMS. The present method allows the synthesis of alkylferrocenes including those bearing terminally functionalized pendant chains.