Ferrocenecarboxylic acid

Ferrocenecarboxylic acid (CAS 1271-42-7), also known as ferrocenemonocarboxylic acid, is an organometallic compound combining a ferrocene core with a carboxylic acid group.

It functions as a building block and active ingredient in pharmaceutical and specialty chemical synthesis, where its redox-active iron center and carboxylic acid handle enable controlled conjugation.

In pharmaceutical development, it serves as a key intermediate for synthesizing ferrocene-conjugated drug candidates, particularly in antimicrobial and antiparasitic research programs.

The carboxylic acid group allows direct coupling to amines, peptides, and polymers, making it valuable for producing bioactive conjugates and labeled compounds in medicinal chemistry workflows.

In personal care formulations, its biocidal and preservation properties support research into metal-based antimicrobial actives as alternatives to conventional preservative systems.

It is also used in electrochemical biosensor fabrication, where its stable redox behavior enables surface functionalization of electrode materials for various diagnostic applications.

Ferrocenecarboxylic acid is supplied as an orange to orange-brown crystalline powder. It is available primarily in research and fine chemical grades for industrial synthesis applications.

Purity specifications typically range from 97% to 99%+ for synthesis. Packaging ranges from gram-scale quantities for R&D procurement to larger lots for pilot-scale synthesis programs.