Synthesis and Structure of Unsymmetrical 1,1′-Disubstituted Cyclopropane-Containing Azinylferrocenes

A simple and convenient approach to the synthesis of the derivatives of unsymmetrical 1,1′-disubstituted cyclopropane-containing azinylferrocenes was suggested. A regioselective method for the Friedel—Crafts acylation of monoazinyl-substituted ferrocenes with a 4-chlorobutyryl chloride—AlCl3 mixture in CH2Cl2 under an inert atmosphere was elaborated. The acylation product on treatment with ButOK in DMSO readily underwent γ-elimination of HCl to give the corresponding cyclopropanes. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR spectroscopy, 1H and 13C spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction analysis.