N-(2-ferrocenylethyl)maleimide

N-(2-ferrocenylethyl)maleimide is an organometallic small molecule that combines a ferrocenyl group with a maleimide moiety. The compound features both the redox-active ferrocene and the electrophilic maleimide, which is reactive toward thiols and amines due to its 2,5-pyrroledione structure. This dual functionality makes it valuable in chemical biology and materials science. It can covalently modify thiol-containing biomolecules (such as cysteine residues in proteins or glutathione), potentially affecting cellular redox states and signaling pathways. Its electroactive properties have led to research interest in its use as a probe for protein labeling/derivatization (notably in analytical chemistry), as well as potential anticancer or therapeutic applications[1][2][3][6]. However, it is not approved for clinical use.

Other names

1-[2-(ferrocen-1-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione1-(2-(ferrocen-1-yl)ethyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione