Synthesis of ferrocenyl conjugates of thio analogs of hydroxyl-containing biomolecules via the Mitsunobu reaction with N-(ethoxycarbonyl)ferrocenecarbothioamide as the pronucleophile

A new method for attachment of a ferrocenyl moiety to hydroxyl-containing biomolecules is reported, based on the Mitsunobu reaction with N-(ethoxycarbonyl)ferrocenecarbothioamide. The reaction results in the replacement of the OH group with a (ferrocenyl)thioimidoyl moiety. Using this method, ferrocenyl conjugates of cholesterol, stigmasterol, as well as protected and nonprotected adenosine and 2′-deoxy adenosine were obtained in high yield and with high chemo- and stereoselectivity.