[Tris(alkoxydimethylsilyl)methyl]alkylferrocenes as New Ferrocenyl Multifunctional Silyl Ethers

[Tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]alkylferrocenes and [tris(dimethylsilyl)methyl]alkylferrocenes were synthesized by treatment of tris(trimethylsilyl)methyllithium and tris(dimethylsilyl)methyllithium in THF with 3-bromopropylferrocene or 4-bromobutylferrocene at 0 degrees C. [Tris(alkoxydimethylsilyl)methyl]alkylferrocenes were obtained by dehydrocoupling with various aliphatic and benzylic alcohols in the presence of the Karstedt catalyst (platinum(0)-1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane in xylene) in good to excellent yields. 4-[Tris(benzyloxydimethylsilyl)methyl]butylferrocene was also prepared from the transetherification of 4-[tris(methoxydimethylsilyl)methyl]butylferrocene with benzyl alcohol in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene as catalyst.