Synthesis, crystal structure and electrochemistry of ferrocene-containing diketoimines

Acetoacetyl ferrocene reacted with benzidine and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane in absolute ethanol to give the diketoimines 2a-b in high yields. Determined by X-ray structure analysis, 2a crystallized in monoclinic crystal system-space group P2(1)/c with cell parameters: a = 10.8595(2), b = 12.4095(2), c = 12.2021(2) angstrom, beta = 97.6390(10), Z = 2, V = 1631.10(5) angstrom(3). The unit cell contains two independent molecules to form helical crystal structure stabilized by hydrogen bond interactions with helical angle is 39.38.