Synthesis of a sugar-organometallic compound 1,1′-difurfurylferrocene and its microwave preparation of carbon/iron oxide nanocomposite

► We synthesized 1,1′-difurfurylferrocene by nucleophilic treating furfural with 1,1′-dilithioferrocene. ► 1,1′-Difurfurylferrocene can be hydrothermally treated by microwave to give microspheres with iron oxides on the surface. ► 1,1′-Difurfurylferrocene has 2 reactive furanose units, which form carbonspheres and ferrocenyl can give iron oxides. ► REDOX atmosphere influences the coating structures.