Synthesis, structure and properties of new ferrocene-containing compounds

The potential use of (aminomethyl)ferrocene and 1,1´-di(aminomethyl)ferrocene as precursor for Schiff base chemistry has been tested. (Aminomethyl)ferrocene reacts with 3,3´-(3-oxapentane-1,5-diyldioxy)bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) to give the [2+1] diiminic ligand 8. 8 reacts with LaCl3 and Ni(CH3COO)2 giving the corresponding complexes 9 and 10. 1,1´-Di(aminomethyl)ferrocene was prepared by conversion of 1,1´-di(formyl)ferrocene into 1,1´-di(formyl)ferrocene oxime, followed by reduction of the oxime with LiAlH4. Easy degradation of 1,1´-di(aminomethyl)ferrocene prevented its use as aminic precursor for the synthesis of Schiff base ligands. Isomerization occurred about the carbon–nitrogen double bonds of 1,1´-di(formyl)ferrocene oxime giving rise to three isomers. The X-ray analysis has shown that in the 5a complex three independent molecules having different conformation are present.