Preparation, Structure, and Anion Sensing Properties of 1,n-Diaza[n]ferrocenophanes

The synthesis of structurally new types of azaferrocenophanes is reported in this note:  4, which comprises a 1,2-fused azaheterocycle to a 1,3-diaza[3]ferrocenophane framework; 1,3-diaza[3]ferrocenophanes 5 and 7, which can be considered as a 1,1‘-ferrocenylene N,N‘-guanidine or urea, respectively; and 1,3,6,8-tetraza[8]ferrocenophanes 9 and 10, bearing two ureido moieties in the ansa-bridge. These compounds were prepared directly from 1,1‘-bis(isocyanato)ferrocene 1 and thoroughly characterized by spectroscopic means. Tetraza[8]ferrocenophanes 9 and 10 show spectral and electrochemical anion-sensing action:  they display a selective downfield shift of the urea protons and a cathodic shift of the ferrocene/ferrocinium redox couple with dihydrogenphosphate and fluoride anions. The crystal structure of compound 4 has been determined by single-crystal X-ray methods.