Selective functionalization of ferrocenyl compounds using a novel solvent free synthetic method for the preparation of bioactive unsymmetrical ferrocenyl derivatives

Abstract

A novel solvent free synthetic method has been designed by using rice husk ash (RHA) as solid support for the selective functionalization of ferrocenyl derivatives and described the synthesis of a 1,1′-unsymmetrically bi-functionalized ferrocenyl compounds for their biological evaluation. Single crystal X-ray structural evaluation showed some interesting intra-molecular hydrogen bonding interactions across the chains of the ferrocenyl molecule, while DFT calculation revealed the significance of the orientation between the two cyclopentadienyl rings for the hydrogen bonding interaction. Redox and antibacterial properties have been studied to understand the electronic and biological effect of different hydrazone system and their potential for future application. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.