Photoinduced iron–cyclopentadienyl (Fe–Cp) bond cleavage reactions and photocontrolled polymerizations of strained [1]ferrocenophanes

Although extensive previous studies have shown that strained [1]ferrocenophanes predominantly undergo ring-opening chemistry at the bridging atom E–cyclopentadienyl (E–Cp) bond, recent reports have highlighted that reactivity at the Fe–Cp bond can also occur, especially on photoactivation. We provide an overview of recent results from our group and those of other researchers. In addition, the development of photocontrolled living polymerizations of sila[1]ferrocenophanes using Fe–Cp bond cleavage chemistry is described.