Deepali Jagdale^1* , Kaustubh Battellu¹ , Sampada Bhosale² , Yashashree Sawant¹ and Gayatri Nadar²

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Sec-8, C.B.D. Belapur, Navi Mumbai, India.

²Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Sec-8, C.B.D. Belapur, Navi Mumbai, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail:deepali.jagdale@bvcop.in

Abstract

Ferrocene is a remarkable organometallic compound with an iron ion sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl rings. This unique molecular structure and diverse characteristics such as improved solubility, altered reactivity, and enhanced biological activity make them potential candidates for drug development and diverse applications including cancer therapy. Additionally, ferrocene-based compounds exhibit a lower tendency to induce severe side effects, making them a safer option for cancer treatment. They also have shown potential in overcoming resistance encountered by platinum compounds in treating certain types of cancer. The three primary metabolic pathways for ferrocene include oxidation, cyclization catalyzed by acid, and hydroxylation, forming quinone methide, cyclic indene, and allylic alcohol, respectively. Building on this foundation, researchers have delved deeper into synthesizing and assessing novel ferrocene derivatives to enhance their effectiveness in addressing cancer and other illnesses. This review comprehensively examines potential derivative reactions, highlighting the possibilities for tailoring these compounds to achieve specific therapeutic objectives.

Keywords

Cholesterol; Ferrocene; Ferrocene derivatives; Organometallics; Steroid

Copy the following to cite this article: Jagdale D, Battellu K, Bhosale S, Sawant Y, Nadar G. Exploring the Versatility of Ferrocene and its Derivatives: A Comprehensive Review. Biomed Pharmacol J 2024;17(3).

Copy the following to cite this URL: Jagdale D, Battellu K, Bhosale S, Sawant Y, Nadar G. Exploring the Versatility of Ferrocene and its Derivatives: A Comprehensive Review. Biomed Pharmacol J 2024;17(3). Available from: https://bit.ly/3XBGdd4

Introduction

Organometallics are the metallic complexes of organic compounds. Organometallics have a greater diversity of stereochemistry than organic compounds, ranging from linear to octahedral and even beyond (30 stereoisomers exist for an octahedral complex with six different ligands). Kinetic properties of the organometallics can be controlled using rational ligand design. Additionally, their metal atoms have a low oxidation state, without any charges, are kinetically stable, and are highly lipophilic. Organometallic compounds offer abundant opportunities for creating innovative categories of pharmaceutical compounds, potentially showcasing distinctive mechanisms of action specific to metals. This arises from their fundamental distinctions compared to traditional coordination metal complexes¹.

Organometallics employed for medical applications contain Fe, Ru, Co, Zr, Pt, Ti, V, Nb, and Mo. Among them, platinum compounds are most commonly employed. Despite enormous success, platinum compounds have two major side effects: they are ineffective against platinum-resistant tumors and have serious adverse effects, such as nephrotoxicity. The latter drawback arises from the medication’s focal point being DNA, a ubiquitous component in all cells. Furthermore, due to the particular chemical structure of platinum complexes, there are few opportunities for rational improvements that could increase its tumor specificity and lower undesirable side effects². In contrast, ferrocene has fewer side effects and can be used to prevent platinum-resistant tumors. Historically, ferrocene’s therapeutic potential has been studied because it was the first organometallic substance for which anti-proliferative effects were noted^2,3.

Ferrocene

Ferrocene (Figure 1) was first identified in 1951^4,5. Later, Wilkinson and co-workers, and Goermen and co-workers determined its precise structure^6,7. Woodward and co-workers named these novel iron compounds ferrocene because of their similarity with benzene⁸. Modern organometallic chemistry was founded as a result of the elucidation of the ferrocene molecule’s structure, which was a significant discovery in the history of chemistry. Today, the words “sandwich compound” and “metallocene” describe a considerably wider variety of compounds containing various metals in addition to ferrocene and its derivatives⁹. Due to its intriguing chemistry, ferrocene immediately caught the interest of the scientific and technical world^9,10. Without delay, chemists began to develop synthetic approaches that developed ferrocene derivatives and explored their uses in various scientific fields¹¹. Ferrocene has several applications in materials science, including sensors^12-21, catalysts^19,22-27, electroactive materials^28-33, and aerospace materials^34-35, because of its advantageous electrical characteristics and ease of functionalization. Ferrocenes are well-liked molecules for biological applications due to their stability in aqueous and aerobic media and their variety of possible derivatives^35-42.

There are ongoing studies on the uses of ferrocenes in pharmaceutical applications. Numerous studies have demonstrated that some ferrocene derivatives are highly effective both in vitro and in vivo against a variety of diseases, including bacterial and fungal infections^43-44, malaria^{40, 45-47}, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection⁴⁸, and cancer^36-42. The anticancer efficacy of ferrocene compounds having amine or amide groups against lymphocytic leukemia P-388.48 led Brynes and coworkers⁴⁹ to report the anticancer potential of ferrocene derivatives in the late 1970s.  Since then, different ferrocene compounds have been synthesized and their anticancer abilities were evaluated. Ge X and coworkers⁵⁰ studied ferrocene appended iridium (III) complexes for anticancer activity. Shen-Zhen Ren and coworkers synthesized and evaluated COX-2 inhibition activity of ferrocene-pyrazole derivatives⁵¹. Ferrocene-modified analogs such as ferrocene phenol hybrid⁵², Imatinib and Nilitinib⁵³ have been studied for anticancer activity.

It was significant enough to demonstrate that adding a ferrocene group to the right carrier might increase an agent’s antitumor activity.

Figure 1: Ferrocene.   Click here to view Figure

 

Ferrocene Derivatives

Formyl Derivative of Ferrocene

Tang J⁵⁴ synthesized Formyl ferrocene through the reaction of ferrocene, CH(OEt)₃, and anhydrous solvent
(anhydrous AlCl₃), followed by stirring to obtain the desired product.

Scheme 1: Synthesis of Formyl Ferrocene   Click here to view Scheme

 

Chalcone Derivative of Formyl Ferrocene

Song QB⁵⁵ synthesized ferrocene chalcone derivatives (Scheme 2). To synthesize compound 3, formyl ferrocene underwent a reaction with bromoacetophenone (2). Subsequently, compound 3 was subjected to treatment with Pd (0) and ArB(OH)₂, resulting in the formation of compounds 4a-4c. Various derivatives can be synthesized by using substituted Ar.

Scheme 2: Synthesis of Chalcone derivatives of Formyl Ferrocene   Click here to view Figure

 

Alternatively, acetyl ferrocene (5) was reacted with bromobenzaldehyde (6). After this, compound 7 was treated with Pd (0) and ArB(OH)₂, forming compound 8. Various chalcone derivatives (Scheme 3) can be synthesized by substituting Ar in ArB(OH)₂.

Scheme 3: Synthesis of Chalcone derivatives of Acetyl Ferrocene   Click here to view Scheme

 

Furan Containing Derivatives of Ferrocene

Moynahan EB⁵⁶ successfully produced Ferrocene derivatives incorporating a furan ring (Table 1). The condensation of ferrocene carboxy hydrazide with 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde and 5-nitro-2-acetylfuran led to compounds 9a and 9b, respectively. Ferrocene carboxy hydrazide was condensed with ethyl-5-nitro-2-furimidate hydrochloride, resulting in the synthesis of N-ferrocenecarboxamido-5-nitro-2-furamidine, designated as compound 10.

Acetylferrocene readily undergoes condensation with 2-furan aldehyde and 5-methyl-2-furaldehyde, forming compounds 11a and 11b, respectively. However, this reaction failed under various conditions with 5-nitro-2-furanaldehyde to yield 11c. Alternatively, ferrocene carboxaldehyde can be condensed with 2-acetylfuran and 2-acetyl-5-nitrofuran, producing compounds 12a and 12b respectively, which are isomeric to 11a and 11c.

The reaction of compounds 11a, 12a, and 12b with phenylhydrazine resulted in the formation of pyrazolines 13, 14a, and 14b, respectively⁵⁵. However, when chalcone 12a was subjected to a reaction with phenylhydrazine at room temperature, a compound presumed to be 15 was obtained instead of the expected pyrazoline 14a.

Table 1: Reactants for furan derivatives of ferrocene   Click here to view Table

 

The reaction of hydrazine or acetyl hydrazine with 11a led to pyrazoline 16a or 16b formation. Reaction of isomeric chalcones 12a/12b with hydrazine led to pyrazoline 17a/17b⁵⁶.

Cholesterol Derivative of Ferrocene

Cholesterol derivatives of ferrocene were synthesized by Lewkowski J and co-workers⁵⁷ in 2004 and then by Váradi M, and Skoda-Földes R⁵⁸ in 2022. α-(Ferrocenyl)-amino methane phosphonous acid derivatives (19a-19d) were synthesized by joining the steroid moiety and the ferrocene group with the help of amino phosphonous acid (Scheme 4).

Scheme 4: Synthesis of Cholesterol derivatives of Ferrocene   Click here to view Scheme

 

Diester Derivative of Ferrocene

1,1′-Bis-(chlorocarbonyl)ferrocene (20) derivatives were synthesized by Medina⁵⁹. 20 after reaction with cholesterol in the presence of benzene and triethylamine, resulted in the formation of 1,1′-diester cholesterol derivative (21).

Scheme 5: Synthesis of Diester derivatives of Ferrocene   Click here to view Scheme

 

Steroid Derivative of Ferrocene

Estradiol after esterification (22) with dicarboxylic acid (succinic acid) was converted to 17β- hemisuccinate (24).  Cais M⁶⁰ used amino methyl ferrocene (23) as a conjugating reagent to form an amide bond with the carboxylic acid.

Scheme 6: Synthesis of Steroid derivatives of Ferrocene   Click here to view Scheme

 

Steroid Derivative of Ferrocene with Glycine as Linker Group and with Two Cholesteryl Groups

Utilizing an N-protected glycine ester, product 25 was synthesized via the acylation of cholesterol. Subsequently, following the removal of the protecting group, the amino derivative 26 was linked to ferrocene derivatives 1-chlorocarbonyl ferrocene(27) and 1,1′-bis(chlorocarbonyl)ferrocene (20) through an amide bond, resulting in the formation of conjugates 28 and 29, respectively⁶¹.

Scheme 7: Synthesis of Steroid derivatives of Ferrocene with glycine as a linker group and two cholesteryl groups Click here to view Scheme

 

Similarly, compound 32 containing two cholesteryl moieties was produced starting from 1,1′-bis(chlorocarbonyl)ferrocene 20⁶².

Scheme 8: Synthesis of Steroid derivatives of Ferrocene with two cholesteryl groups.   Click here to view Scheme

 

1-chlorocarbonyl ferrocene (27) after reaction with diamino alkane gave 33, which after reaction with 30 yielded 34⁶³.

Scheme 9: Synthesis of steroid derivatives of Ferrocene with amino moiety as the linker group   Click here to view Scheme

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the synthesis and preparation of diverse ferrocene derivatives present a compelling avenue for advancing research in various fields, including materials science, catalysis, and medicinal chemistry. The versatility of ferrocene’s structural framework offers immense potential for tailoring properties to suit specific applications. Through innovative synthetic methodologies and strategic functionalization, researchers continue to expand the scope of ferrocene derivatives, unlocking novel properties and applications. As this manuscript highlights, the systematic exploration of ferrocene derivatives contributes significantly to advancing interdisciplinary research and holds promise for addressing complex challenges in diverse scientific domains. Further exploration and refinement of synthetic strategies will undoubtedly lead to the discovery of new ferrocene derivatives with enhanced properties and functionalities, driving progress in both fundamental understanding and practical applications.

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to the institute for the sources and facilities provided during the literature review.

Conflict of Interest

The authors do not have any conflict of interest.

Funding Sources

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article

Data Availability Statement

This statement does not apply to this article.

Ethics Statement

This research did not involve human participants, animal subjects, or any material that requires ethical approval.

Informed Consent Statement

This study did not involve human participants, and therefore, informed consent was not required.

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