Various unsymmetrical 1,n′-disubstituted ferrocenoyl amino acids were obtained by palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation starting from 1,1′-diiodoferrocene. The reactions were carried out in one-pot, using an equimolar mixture of two amino acid esters as nucleophiles. The structures of the products were determined by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and MS analyses. Each was found to adopt an ordered, intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformation.
ferrocene - amino acids - carbonylations - palladium - homogeneous catalysis