Regioselective Tetrametalation of Ferrocene in a Single Reaction: Extension of s-Block Inverse Crown Chemistry to the d-Block.

Remarkably, four hydrogen atoms have been regioselectively removed from the 1,1',3,3'-positions of ferrocene in a single reaction leading to the formation of the new macrocyclic host-guest complex [{Fe(C5 H3 )2 }Na4 Mg4 {iPr2 N}8 ]. This novel addition to the s-block metal inverse crown family possesses a tetrasodium-tetramagnesium amido (Na4 Mg4 N8 )4+ ring to complete a series of 8, 12, 16, and 24-membered rings.