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The novel ferrocene-based compounds [Fe(η5-C5H4CH(CH3)OH)2] (1), [Fe(η5-C5H3(CH3)COOH)2] (2), [Fe(η5-C5H4CH(CH3)NH(η5-C5H4CH(CH3))] (3) and the diaminecyclohexane salt [Fe(η5-C5H4COO)2]2−[1S,2S-(NH3)2C6H10]2+·2[H2O] (4) have been synthesised and their molecular and supramolecular structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The hydrogen bonding networks established by the COOH, CH(CH3)OH, and COO(−) groups have been studied and the structural parameters compared with those available for the prototypical dicarboxylic acid [Fe(η5-C5H4COOH)2].

Highly dispersed palladium on graphite (Pd/Gr), carbon (Pd/C) and alumina (Pd/Al 2 O 3 ) have been employed as catalysts in substitution reactions of allylic esters with nucleophiles such as benzenesulfinate and diethyl malonate anions, and 1-(1-cyclohexen-1-yl)pyrrolidine.

The reaction of dillyltin dibromide, readily prepared from allyl bromide and tin powder, with aldehydes in the presence of monosodium-(+)-diethyl tartrate affords the corresponding homoallylic alcohols in good yields with enantiomeric excesses in the range 42 to 71%.

The potassium—graphite route to active forms of metals has been extended to the preparation of titanium—graphite (TiGr) and tin—graphite (SnGr). The TiGr is used to achieve the reductive coupling of ketones to give alkenes, and SnGr is used in the preparation of diallyltin dibromide complexes which react with aldehydes to give homoallylic alcohols.

Highly dispersed potassium on alumina (K/Al 2 O 3 ) acts as a metalating agent towards enolizable compounds and the intermediate organopotassium derivatives can be alkylated with primary alkyl bromides. The reaction conditions are dependent on the substrate. In particular, tetrahydrofuran is the solvent of choice for the metalation of nitriles and aldehyde N,N -dimethylhydrazones at −60°C and of N -cyclohexyl ketimines at room temperature, whereas hexane must be used for ketones.

(4 R-trans )-2-(1-Methylethenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane-4,5-dicarboxylic acid, bis- ethyl ester upon oxidation with trimethylamine oxide gives a chiral enol borate that condenses with aldehydes to give optically active 4-hydroxy-2-alkanones in 55-77% yield and 41-65% e.e.

Alkenenickel complexes catalyze the coupling of activated olefins with aryl or vinyl halides. Substitution or conjugate-addition products are obtained depending on the activating group in the alkene and on the nature of the organic halide.