Iron(ii) catalyzed dehydrative etherification of alcohols: a convenient route to ferrocenylmethanol-ethers

Abstract

The iron complex [Fp][OTf] (Fp+[Fe(CO)2(Cp)]+, OTf−SO3CF3−) was found to act as efficient catalyst for the dehydrative etherification of ferrocenylmethanol [HOCH2–Fc] with a variety of alcohols (ROH), providing a valuable route for the formation of ferrocenylmethanol-ethers [ROCH2–Fc]. The complex [Fp][OTf] also catalyzes etherification of propargyl alcohols with other alcohols. The advantages of the method are associated with the use of a non toxic and easily available transition metal as catalyst, and the dehydrative synthetic approach, which produces water as the only by-product.