Synthesis and characterization of ferrocenylalkoxygermatranes and crystal structures of FcCH 2 OGe (OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N and FcCH(CH 3 )OGe(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N 1

Germatranes bearing a ferrocenylalkoxyl moiety have been obtained by the reaction of HOGe(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N with various ferrocenyl alcohols. A convenient new synthesis method of FcCH 2 OGe(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N was reported. FcCH 2 OGe(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N was prepared in 93% yield when FcCH 2 OH reacted with HOGe(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N in chloroform at room temperature in the presence of molecular sieves (3 Å) as a dehydrating agent. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, 1 H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of FcCH 2 OGe(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N and FcCH(CH 3 )OGe(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N have been determined by X‐ray diffraction. The antitumor activities of FcCH 2 OGe(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N and p ‐FcC 6 H 4 CH 2 OGe(OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 N were determined. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.