β-Ferrocenyl-α,β-unsaturated phosphonates and sulfones

Ferrocene reacts with β-ketophosphonates and β-ketosulfones (or acetals of formylphosphonates and sulfones) in the presence of a strong acid (triflic or methanesulfonic) to afford β-ferrocenyl-α,β-unsaturated phosphonates and β-ferrocenyl-α,β-unsaturated sulfones in good yield. The (E)-stereochemistry of these compounds was confirmed by spectral and analytical data, as well as by X-ray diffraction.