Synthesis of substituted 1,1′-diaminoferrocenes from cyclo-2-pentene imines

The synthesis and characterisation of 1,1′-diaminoferrocenes in two steps from a simple cyclopentenone precursor and primary amines is reported. Alternatively, LDA/FeCl2 can be substituted by the less basic Fe[N(SiMe3)2]2(thf) in the case of R = phenyl, where steric restrains are small.