Facile route t ferrocifen, 1--1-(phenyl-2-ferrocenyl-but-1-ene), first organometallic analogue of tamoxifen, by the McMurry reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-328X(97)00086-7

As part of the search for tamoxifen substitutes that could be useful in the treatment of breast cancer, the use of organometallic complexes has been investigated.For this purpose a synthesis has been developed for ferrocifen, the prototype of this new series of complexes.Low valent titanium-mediated (TiCl4/Zn) cross-coupling of 4-MeO-C6H4COPh with ferrocenyl ethyl ketone affords the corresponding but-1-ene in high yield (66percent), from which ferrocifen, 3, is rapidly prepared in an overall yield of 41percent.Keywords: Ferrocifen; Ferrocene; Tamoxifen; Anti-tumour