ferrocenylethynyl - a versatile platform for new molecules to novel materials

Ferrocenylethynyl is a key starting material for the synthesis of fascinating new molecules and novel functional materials. It combines the robust and redox-active ferrocene moiety with the rigid-rod ethynyl unit. The ferrocene center provides chemically and electrochemically switchable material properties whereas the ethynyl backbone facilitates electron delocalization along the molecule, yielding materials with the potential for a wide range of applications from sensors to bio-organometallics and pharmaceuticals, from catalysts to nonlinear optical materials, and from fuel additives to chelating agents. However, lifetime performances and costs still need to be optimized to make ferrocenylethynyl-based materials commercially competitive. Efficient synthetic methods are already in place which could play a key role in the progress of these materials. This review discusses the main approaches adopted in the synthesis of ferrocenylethynyl-based molecules and materials. Representative examples of each method are reported, highlighting its significant achievements together with the open issues and challenges to be faced by future researchers in this area.