Asymmetric C–H Bond Functionalization of Ferrocenes: New Opportunities and Challenges

Ferrocene is of great significance in the fields of organic synthesis, materials science, and biomedical research. Of particular importance is the fact that ferrocenes with planar chirality have proven to be privileged ligands or catalysts for asymmetric catalysis. Therefore, developing highly efficient methods to introduce planar chirality on the backbone of ferrocene is desirable. This short review highlights recent advances towards enantioselective C–H bond functionalization of ferrocenes. Enantioselective synthesis of planar chiral ferrocenes via Pd-, Ir-, Rh-, Au-, Pt-, and Ni-catalyzed C–H bond functionalization is described. The achievements in asymmetric C–H bond functionalization provide a rich platform for the design and synthesis of planar chiral ferrocenes.