Facile, Convenient Synthesis of Highly Pure ω-Ferrocenylalkanethiols as Probes for Self-Assembled Monolayer (SAM) on Gold Surface

Abstract High purity synthesis of ω-ferrocenylalkanethiols (Fc(CH2)n−SH, n=6, 8, 11) was developed for their use in self-assembled monolayers on gold surface. The method employs a separation and purification of isothiuronium salt 6 to improve the purity of final products 7. The use of hazardous mercury in the Clemmensen reduction of acylferrocene 4 to alkylferrocenes 5 is avoided by an alternative LAH/AlCl3 reduction.