Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of novel ferrocenyl dispiropyrrolidines and pyrrolizidines

A series of novel ferrocenyl spiropyrolidines and pyrrolizidines have been synthesized through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylide generated from amino acids and various 1,2-diketones with ferrocenyl Baylis–Hillman adducts as dipolarophiles. The synthesized cycloadducts were evaluated for antimicrobial activities. Compounds 12, 13, 14, and 18 showed relatively good antimicrobial activity.