Supercritical carbon dioxide in organometallic synthesis: Combination of sc-CO2 with Nafion film as a novel reagent in the synthesis of ethers from hydroxymethylmetallocenes

Metallocenyl carbinols FcCH2OH (1a) and RcCH2OH (1b) dissolved in sc-CO2 penetrate into the acidic Nafion film under 20 MPa and 80 or 35 °C. After removal of pressure and leaving at room temperature, the crystals rapidly formed on the surface of the film, were identified as ethers McCH2OCH2Mc, Mc = Fc or Rc, by X-ray study. Mechanism of their formation is discussed.