Three mononuclear polyoxa(n)ferrocenophanes (5) and binuclear polyoxa(n,n)ferrocenophanes (6) derived from 1,1′-bis(hydroxymethyl)ferrocene were synthesized and complexing ability of 5 with alkali and transition metal cations was measured by a solvent extraction method. Their complexing abilities were excellent with silver cation, although polyoxa(n)ferrocenophanes (1) derived from 1,1′-dihydroxyferrocene were decomposed by oxidation.
Mononuclear polyoxathia[n]ferrocenophanes (8a–d) and binuclear polyoxadithia[n,n]ferrocenophanes were synthesized by the reaction of 1,1′-bis(ω-chloropolyethyleneoxy)ferrocene with sodium sulfide in N,N-dimethylformamide and the complexing ability of 8a–d with alkali and transition metal cations was measured by an extraction method. Compound 8d extracts a thallium ion specifically, the extraction efficiency of several ions being in the order: Tl+>>Rb+>K+>Cs+>Na+>Li+.