Magnetic ferrocenyl-functionalized nanoparticle

A magnetic nanoparticle functionalized with a ferrocenyl group, comprising:

• a complex represented by Formula (IIIA), Formula (IIIB), Formula (IVA), or Formula (IVB);
• and
• an iron(III) oxide nanoparticle;
• wherein the complex represented by Formula (IIIA) Formula (IIIB), Formula (IVA), or Formula (IVB) is:
• where each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is independently a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, or an optionally substituted aryl;
• each of R6 and R7 is independently a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted arylalkyl, an optionally substituted alkoxy, or an optionally substituted aryloxy;
• each of R8 is an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted aryl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl;
• R9 is a single bond, a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted aryl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl;
• R9′ is a —O—, hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted arylalkyl, an optionally substituted alkoxy, an optionally substituted aryloxy, or an optionally substituted arylalkoxy;
• a and b are independently an integer in a range of 1-10;
• X is O or NH;
• M is iron;
• W is an optionally substituted arylene;
• and
• wherein an oxygen atom in —OR9 group in the complex represented by Formula (IIIA), Formula (IIIB), Formula (IVA), or Formula (IVB) is bound to a surface of the nanoparticle.