Selective mono- and di{(perfluoroalkyl)acylation} of ferrocene

The selective synthesis of mono- and 1,1′-di{(perfluoroalkyl)acylated} ferrocenes by Friedel–Crafts acylation with (perfluoroalkyl)acyl halides is described. The acyl derivatives were further converted to the corresponding (perfluoroalkyl)alkyl ferrocenes by reduction of the carbonyl group with LiAlH4/AlCl3. Electrochemical studies of all the obtained substituted ferrocenes were carried out to assess the influence of the perfluoroalkyl ponytails on their redox behavior.