Patent GB-869504-A (GB)
Title: Ferrocene derivatives and processes for their production
Inventor: LEIGH THOMAS
IPC: C07F17/02
Filed: 1959-02-09
Abstract: The invention comprises substituted ethyl ferrocenes and substituted acetyl ferrocenes of formula:  <FORM:0869504/IV (b)/1> wherein A stands for hydrogen or the group -CR1R11CH2X wherein R1 and R11 both stand for hydrogen or together stand for an oxygen atom, and X stands for a secondary or tertiary alkyl radical, a cycloalkyl radical or a phenyl radical which may optionally be substituted. The following compounds are specified: 1:11-di-tert-butyl-acetyl ferrocene, 1:11-bis(3:3-dimethyl butyl)-ferrocene, phenylacetyl ferrocene, b -phenylethyl ferrocene, 1:11-di-isovaleryl ferrocene, 1:11-diisoamylferrocene, 1:11-di-(3:5:57-trimethylhexanoyl)ferrocene, 1:11-di-(3:5:5- trimethylhexyl)ferrocene, cyclohexyl-acetyl ferrocene, b -cyclohexylethyl-ferrocene, (3:4-dimethylphenyl) acetyl ferrocene, and b -(3:4- dimethylphenyl)ethylferrocene. Compounds of the above formula where R1 and R11 stand for hydrogen may be made by reduction of compounds of formula:  <FORM:0869504/IV (b)/2> wherein B stands for hydrogen or a COCH2X group wherein X has the meaning of the above.  The reduction may be carried out by the Clemmensen process or catalytically in the presence of copper chromite or platinum oxide optionally in the presence of a solvent or diluent e.g. acetic acid.  Alternatively these compounds may be made by reacting an anhydrous iron halide with the corresponding alkylcyclopentadienyl alkali metal derivative (e.g. those of sodium, potassium and lithium) in the presence of tetrahydrofuran or toluene. The alkali metal derivative may be prepared by reacting the alkylcyclopentadiene with finely divided alkali metal in the presence of an inert diluent e.g. tetrahydrofuran or in the presence of liquid ammonia as diluent and ferric nitrate as catalyst.  Compounds of the above formula when R1 and R11 stand for oygen are made by reacting ferrocene with an acid halide or anhydride, preferably in the presence of a solvent such as nitrobenzene, carbon disulphide, nitromethane or ethylene dichloride, and of a Friedel Crafts catalyst such as aluminium chloride, boron fluoride, zinc chloride or hydrofluoric acid. Mono-acyl derivatives are made by reacting ferrocene with the acylating agent in the presence of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid or syrupy phosphoric acid.  3:4-Dimethylphenyl acetic acid is made by reacting 3:4-dimethylacetophenone, sulphur and morpholine to give 3:4-dimethylphenylacetothiomorpholide, which is hydrolysed by conc. sulphuric acid and acetic acid to give 3:4-dimethylphenyl acetic acid.  3:4-Dimethylphenyl acetyl chloride is made by reacting 3:4-dimethylphenyl acetic acid with thionylchloride in carbon tetrachloride.ALSO:Ferrocene compounds of formula <FORM:0869504/I/1> wherein A is hydrogen or another CR1R11CH2X wherein R1 and R11 both stand for hydrogen or together stand for oxygen and X is a secondary or tertiary alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or a phenyl group which may optionally be substituted may be used as haematinics in animal foodstuffs e.g. milk products.ALSO:Ferrocene compounds of formula <FORM:0869504/VI/1> wherein A is hydrogen or another CR1R11CH2X, wherein R1 and R11 both stand for hydrogen or together stand for oxygen and X is a secondary or tertiary alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or a phenyl group which may optionally be substituted may be used in tablets, pills, capsules, pastes, aqueous suspensions or emulsions, or oily solutions or suspensions as haematinics.  The preparation may be administered orally or parenterally or as a suppository.