Metal‐free nucleophilic substitution of α‐ferrocenyl alcohols

Abstract

Ferrocene‐based derivatives play significant roles in biomedicine and catalytic reactions. This article demonstrates the C–O/N/S formation reactions of α‐ferrocenyl alcohols under mild conditions using the organic compound NTBC (2,2′,2″‐(nitrilotris (methylene))tris(1H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐5‐carboxylic acid)) as the catalyst. The catalyst is utilized in amounts of 5 mol% or less, and the majority of substrates yield derivatized products in good to excellent yields. This metal‐free catalytic method shows promising applications in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates for its no metal pollution.