Synthesis of di- and monobromo(ferrocenylvinyl)cyclopropanes

The Wittig olefination of ferrocene-containing chalcones leads to 1,3-dienes and their cyclodimers. The reaction of 1,3-dienes with dibromocarbene yields gem-dibromo(ferrocenylvinyl)cyclopropanes. Upon reductive dehalogenation with ethylmagnesium bromide they afford the corresponding monobromo derivatives. All the obtained compounds were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. The structures of compounds 5a,b, 6g, 6h, and 7i were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.