Synthesis of novel racemic 3,4-dihydroferroceno[c]pyridines via the Ritter reaction

Abstract A new approach for the synthesis of functionalized racemic 3,4-dihydroferroceno[ c ]pyridines via the Ritter reaction of 2-methyl-1-ferrocenylpropan-1-ol with nitriles in the presence of methansulfonic acid was developed. The scope and limitations of the reaction were evaluated. Selected racemic 3,4-dihydroferroceno[ c ]pyridines were successfully separated by preparative HPLC on a Chiralcel OD-H column. The absolute configuration of the enantiomers was determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis.