Efficient synthesis of ferrocenylenones by Friedel–Crafts acylation with EtAlCl2–Me3Al

Efficient synthesis of ferrocenylenones using a Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction is described. Acryloyl, methacryloyl, crotonoyl, cinnamoyl, and β-methylcrotonoyl chlorides react with ferrocene in the presence of a Lewis acid (EtAlCl2 or EtAlCl2–Me3Al) to give the corresponding ferrocenylenones (acryloyl, methacryloyl, crotonoyl, cinnamoyl, and methylcrotonoylferrocenes) in good isolated yields. Besides ferrocenylenones, chloroactylferrocene is also synthesised by this method.