Iron-catalysed allylation–hydrogenation sequences as masked alkyl–alkyl cross-couplings

Abstract

An iron-catalysed allylation of organomagnesium reagents (alkyl, aryl) with simple allyl acetates proceeds under mild conditions (Fe(OAc)₂ or Fe(acac)₂, Et₂O, r.t.) to furnish various alkene and styrene derivatives. Mechanistic studies indicate the operation of a homotopic catalyst. The sequential combination of such iron-catalysed allylation with an iron-catalysed hydrogenation results in overall C(sp³)–C(sp³)-bond formation that constitutes an attractive alternative to challenging direct cross-coupling protocols with alkyl halides.