Synthesis of novel ferrocenyl silyl ethers via dehydrocoupling reactions under Karstedt catalyst

•Novel ferrocenyl silyl ethers have been synthesized.•Polymers attached with ferrocene groups have been synthesized.•A convenient method to attaching ferrocene on polymers have been developed.

(4-Ferrocenylbutyl)dimethylsilane is prepared by a Grignard reaction from 4-chlorobutylferrocene and chlorodimethylsilane in THF. The Si–H group reacts with primary and secondary alcohols at room temperature to give good yields of (4-ferrocenylbutyl)dimethylsilyl ethers with Karstedt catalyst in THF. Ferrocenyl groups in pendant side chain are attached to cellulose acetate butyrate via alcoholysis at room temperature with Karstedt catalyst.

Graphical abstractFerrocenyl silyl ethers synthesized with good yields from dehydrocoupling reaction of ferrocenyl silane and different alcohols at room temperature under Karstedt catalyst. Ferrocene is also attached to the cellulose acetate butyrate in the same conditions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide