In 1954, research into the chemistry of ferrocene began at the Department of Organic Chemistry at Moscow State University and at INEOS under the direction of Nesmeyanov. It turned out that the functional derivatives of ferrocene react similarly to aromatic compounds. However, it has been shown that the electronic effects of the substituents are transmitted through the metallocene core by an inductive mechanism, and therefore have a lesser effect than on benzene derivatives. Research on ferrocene and its derivatives made it possible to create a number of photosensitive compositions that allow obtaining a stable image on paper, fabric, plastics and metals, and also led to the creation of a new drug, ferrocerone, which fights diseases associated with iron deficiency. On the basis of cymantrene, Nesmeyanov proposed a new antiknock agent for motor gasoline.