Synthesis of a ferrocene-functionalized unsymmetrical benzo[b]thienyl-thienylethene photoswitch with a cyclopentene core

A new and potentially general synthetic route toward unsymmetrical benzo[b]thienyl-thienylethene compounds is described, with specific focus on conjugation of a ferrocene to the benzo[b]thiophene subunit. The route proceeds in an overall yield of 17%.