•A series of novel Mannich bases are synthesized.•The yields of target products are very high.•Exploring the difference between one-step reaction and multi-step reaction.Mannich bases are not only important pharmaceutical intermediates in synthesis of natural products of active molecules, but also have wide range of applications. In this work, a series of dual-core Mannich bases bearing ferrocenyl and phenothiazinyl groups were synthesized, and the effects of different conditions on the Mannich reaction were explored. The products were well characterized by NMR, IR, and elemental analysis, which were obtained in good yields (up to 80%).Download high-res image (84KB)Download full-size image

Eight kinds of ferrocenylchalcone derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of acetylferrocene and aromatic aldehyde using solid as catalyst in the experiment. The influrence of the catalysts, the raw material molar ratios and reaction times on the yield of ferrocenylchalcone derivatives are discussed. The optimal conditions of synthesis reaction have been selected: the catalyst was KF/Al2O3, n(acetyl ferrocene)/n(formal dehyde) = 1:1.2. The structures of the products were characterized by melting point test, IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and elemental analysis.