The molecular-level effect of alkoxide additives in iron-catalyzed Kumada cross-coupling with simple ferric salts

Abstract

The molecular-level role of alkoxide salts, used as alternative additive to N-methylpyrrolidone in iron-catalyzed alkyl–alkenyl/aryl cross-coupling reactions, is investigated. Detailed spectroscopic studies reveal that alkoxides promote the formation of homoleptic organoferrates such as [FeMe₃]⁻, providing an alternative to toxic NMP to access these reactive intermediates.