Bucky ferrocene and ruthenocene: serendipity and discoveries

An idea of making a ferrocene/fullerene hybrid, “bucky ferrocene”, has intrigued chemists for some time, but the compounds remained to be hypothetical. The synthesis of such hybrid molecules as Fe(C60Me5)Cp, Ru(C60Me5)Cp and Fe(C70Me3)Cp as well as their functionalized derivatives from [60] and [70]fullerenes has been achieved in recent years. With their esthetically pleasing structures and the dual character of metallocene and graphite, these molecules may stimulate the interest of both chemists and non-chemists.