Acetylferrocene

orange crystalline powder

1-Acetylferrocene was originally used in military or space field as an additive in rocket propellant, to promote the burning rate. Its ferrocenyl derivative has wide applications to biological and medical fields such as ferrocene-modified beta-lactam because of its physiological activity of anti-malarial, anti-tumor, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, treatment of anemia, inhibition of enzymatic activity and so on by virtue of its unique structure and diverse properties.

Acetylferrocene synthesis: Charge a 25 mL round bottom flask with ferrocene (1 g) and acetic anhydride (3.3 mL). Carefully add phosphoric acid (0.7 mL, 85%) and heat the reaction mixture on a hot water bath for 20 min with stirring. Pour the hot mixture onto crushed ice (27 g). After all the ice has melted, neutralise the solution with solid sodium bicarbonate and cool for a further 5 min. Collect the brown precipitate by filtration, wash with water and dry in the air. The solid obtained is a mixture of unreacted ferrocene and the monosubstituted product acetylferrocene (Figure 1). However, a third compound may also be present in very small amounts as the disubstituted product of acetylation (1,1′-diacetylferrocene).

Acetylferrocene can be harmful, handle with caution.

core: iridium
reagent type: catalyst

Poison by ocular and intravenous routes. A flammable liquid. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Orange-red crystals are obtained when it is recrystallised from isooctane or *C6H6, and then sublimed at 100o/1mm. The oxime has m 167-170o (from Et2O or aqueous EtOH). The semicarbazone has m 198-201o (from EtOH). [Richmond & Freiser J Am Chem Soc 77 2022 1955, Weinmayer J Am Chem Soc 77 3009 1955, Broadhead et al. J Chem Soc 650 1958, Beilstein 16 IV 1798.]