Stereoselective synthesis of some chiral ?-ferrocenyl carbenium ions

Abstract

The synthesis of chiral ferrocenyl carbocations is described starting from enantiopure orthosubstituted ferrocenylcarboxaldehydes. Secondary or tertiary carbocations have been prepared by ionization of an alcohol precursor. The stereochemistry of secondary α-ferrocenylcarbenium ions has been defined. Preliminary tests as Lewis acid catalysts have been performed. Chirality 9:478–486, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.