The CpFe þ -induced polyfunctionalization of polymethylbenzenes under ambient conditions gives virtually quantitative yields of CpFe þ (h 6 -arene)-centered stars and dendritic cores on a large scale. From the chlorotoluene complex, mild nucleophilic reaction with ethanol in the presence of K 2 CO 3 followed by mild reaction with allyl bromide in the presence of tBuOK gives a 60 % yield of the triallyl phenol dendron p-HOC 6 H 4 C(allyl) 3 . This dendron and its functionalized derivatives have been used as building blocks for the divergent synthesis of large dendrimers and for the convergent synthesis of nonafunctional dendrons including dendrons bearing ferrocenylsilyl termini on their branches. The various dendrimers, with branch numbers of up to 243 in theory, have been decorated with ferrocenyl groups, and polyaminodendrimers have been functionalized with ferrocenyl, cobaltocenyl, and CpFe þarene moieties. The generation or isolation of two redox states of these metallodendrimers and electron-transfer reactions illustrate their function as molecular electron reservoirs or molecular batteries.
12.1Scheme 1. Principle and general steps of the CpFe þ -induced activation of arenes by temporary complexation.12.2 General Features of the CpFe þ Activation of Arenes 401