Flavonoid derivatives as organometallic bioprobes

The synthesis of organoiron derivatives of biologically active flavonoids is described. Lithium enolates of functionalised protected acetophenones and metallated derivatives of substituted aromatic rings have been employed as nucleophiles in combination with tricarbonyl(η5-cyclohexadienyl)iron electrophiles. Products have been converted into flavonoid and chalcone derivatives. Enolates generated from protected flavanones have also been used in nucleophile addition reactions, and a one-pot in situ protection, nucleophile addition, deprotection sequence is reported.