Conversion of tributylstannylferrocene to a variety of heteroaryl ferrocenes

Tributylstannylferrocene (FcSnBu3) was converted to a variety of heteroaryl ferrocenes, such as 2-thiophenyl, 3-thiophenyl, 3-pyridyl, 3-quinolyl, 4-oxazolyl and 4-isoxazolyl ferrocene, by using Pd-catalyzed reactions. The Stille-coupling catalyst (PdCl2–PPh3) promotes the reaction between FcSnBu3 and electron-deficient heterocyclic bromides, while a modified catalyst (Pd–Ph3P–CuO) proves to be the choice for the coupling of FcSnBu3 with electron-rich heterocyclic bromides.