Selective synthesis of 1-aryl-2-ferrocenylethylene by cross-metathesis

Novel synthesis of pi -conjugated molecules by cross-metathesis reaction of vinylferrocene with a series of vinyl-arenes was investigated with a molyb denum-based Schrock catalyst (CHCMe2Ph)Mo(N-2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)[OCMe(CF3)(2)](2) . The cross-metathesis reactions occurred successfully and the cross-metath esis product, i.e., heterodimers, were readily obtained selectively, togeth er with only small amounts of the corresponding self-dimers.