Formation of alkyne-bridged ferrocenophanes using ring-closing alkyne metathesis on 1,1'-diacetylenic ferrocenes

Novel alkyne-bridged ferrocenophanes [fc{CO (CH ) C≡} ] ( : = 2; : = 3) were synthesized from the corresponding terminal diacetylenic ferrocenes [fc{CO (CH ) C≡CH} ] ( : = 2; : = 3) through ring-closing alkyne metathesis (RCAM) utilizing the highly effective molybdenum catalyst [MesC≡Mo{OC(CF ) CH } ] ( ; Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl). The metathesis reaction occurs in short time with high yields whilst giving full conversion of the terminal alkynes. Furthermore, the solvent-dependant reactivity of towards Ag(SbF ) is investigated, leading to oxidation and formation of the ferrocenium hexafluoroantimonate in dichloromethane, whereas the silver(I) coordination polymer was isolated from THF solution.