Ferrocenecarboxaldehyde is prepared by Vilsmeier-Haack reaction (formylation) using dimethylformamide and phosphorus oxychloride.

[3] According to X-ray crystallography ferrocenecarboxaldehyde adopts the expected sandwich structure exhibited by other ferrocenes.

[4] In its IR spectrum, ferrocenecarboxaldehyde is characterized by a low frequency νCO band at 1670 cm−1 vs 1704 cm−1 for benzaldehyde.

[3] Ferrocenecarboxaldehyde behaves like other aldehydes in terms of its reactivity, the main difference is that it is electroactive.

[3] Ferrocenecarboxaldehyde, owing to the versatility of the formyl group, is a precursor to many ferrocene-modified compounds.