Question

Why was a strong base (KOH) used in the synthesis of ferrocene? Why would a strong acid not be a suitable alternative?
DrBob222
And how did you prepare it? What were the preparation steps?
don
A strong base such as potassium hydroxide, KOH, will react with the acidic Cyclopentadiene to produce the needed cyclopentadienyl anion. An acid will not remove the hydrogen.
C5H6 + OH- → C5H5- + H2O