Synthesis 2015; 47(12): 1683-1695
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1379920
review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Applications of Ferrocenium Salts in Organic Synthesis

Štefan Toma*
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynska dolina CH-2, 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia   Email: toma@fns.uniba.sk   Email: radovan.sebesta@fns.uniba.sk
,
Radovan Šebesta*
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynska dolina CH-2, 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia   Email: toma@fns.uniba.sk   Email: radovan.sebesta@fns.uniba.sk
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 27 February 2015

Accepted after revision: 09 April 2015

Publication Date:
23 April 2015 (online)


Abstract

Ferrocenium salts can be easily obtained from ferrocene by either synthetic preparation or in situ reaction. The ferrocenium ion can act as a one-electron oxidant and thus initiate or promote a range of radical processes. Ferrocene itself can donate electrons to suitable substrates, resulting in useful transformations. Ferrocenium salts can also act as mild Lewis acids. This paper highlights various uses of ferrocenium ions in organic reactions.

1 Introduction

2 Ferrocenium Salts as Lewis Acids

3 Ferrocenium Salts as One-Electron Oxidants

4 Ferrocene as an Electron Donor

5 Catalysis with Other Ferrocenium Derivatives

6 Conclusions