The reaction of ethynylferrocene with mercuric acetate

The reaction of ethynylferrocene with mercuric acetate has been investigated in methanol and other solvents. The reaction involves a number of mercurated intermediates and eventually leads to acetylferrocene. For comparison the behavior of ethynylbenzene with the same mercurating system has also been investigated. The reaction mechanism is discussed in the light of the mercurated and nonmercurated reaction intermediates.