Iron(ii) catalyzed dehydrative etherification of alcohols: a convenient route to ferrocenylmethanol-ethers

Abstract

The iron complex [Fp][OTf] (Fp⁺[Fe(CO)₂(Cp)]⁺, OTf⁻SO₃CF₃⁻) was found to act as efficient catalyst for the dehydrative etherification of ferrocenylmethanol [HOCH₂–Fc] with a variety of alcohols (ROH), providing a valuable route for the formation of ferrocenylmethanol-ethers [ROCH₂–Fc]. The complex [Fp][OTf] also catalyzes etherification of propargyl alcohols with other alcohols. The advantages of the method are associated with the use of a non toxic and easily available transition metal as catalyst, and the dehydrative synthetic approach, which produces water as the only by-product.