Attachment of IR-active organometallic probe groups to flavonoid inducers of nod gene expression

Direct reaction of flavanones with electrophilic tricarbonyl[(1,2,3,4, 5-et a)cyclohexadienyliron(1+) complexes affords organometallic derivatives for use as probes of molecular recognition events during the induction of nodul ation genes in Rhizobium leguminosarum. A more selective preparation method has been developed by deprotonation of the flavanone prior to the addition of the cyclohexadienyliron complex. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rig hts reserved.