ИСТИНА

Intensive research in organometallic chemistry is in highest progress now. Two basic directions are developed: catalytic processes and biochemical and medicinal investigations. Especially ferrocene compounds are at the centre of attention. A large number of ferrocene-modified compounds were investigated as potential antianemic (compnd. 1), antimicrobial, anticancer (2), antimalaria (3), and antituberculosis drug candidates (see Figures). Recently amino acid ferrocene compounds with heterocyclic linkers (4) were studied for treatment brain diseases. Ferrocene compounds are quite broadly used as amperometric biosensors for proteins, DNA probes, and immunoassay tracers. This is caused by unique properties of ferrocene compounds: stability in biological media, redox activity, lipophilicity favoring easy penetration through cell membranes, low toxicity, diversified modes of their reactions with biological substrates, as well as easiness and variability of chemical modifications and commercial availability. More over, modification with ferrocene moiety improves crossing of the blood–brain barrier. All these ferrocene compounds are technologically available and can be implemented in chemical industry.