Synthesis of ferrocenylphenyl derivatives including biphenylferrocenes, arylferrocenylphenyl ethers and arylferrocenylphenyl amines

The preparation of a series of substituted biphenylferrocenes via a modified Suzuki reaction between 4-bromophenylferrocene and substituted phenylboronic acids is described. The X-ray crystal structure of 4′-formyl-4-biphenylferrocene is reported and this compound is then incorporated into the first series of ferrocenomesogens containing the ferrocenylbiphenyl unit. The synthesis of a series of arylferrocenylphenyl ethers and arylferrocenylphenyl amines is also described.