Transfer semi-hydrogenation of terminal alkynes with a well-defined iron complex

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of a bis-iron(II) complex was accomplished upon treatment of a phosphine free NNN-pincer ligand (L) with FeCl₂·4H₂O under ambient conditions. The deep greenish colored iron(II) complex (Fe-1) was characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study along with IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The Fe-1 complex was tested for the transfer semi-hydrogenation of terminal alkynes to the corresponding alkenes through the dehydrogenation of dimethyl amine-borane. This procedure enables the conversion of various structurally different terminal alkynes to alkenes under mild conditions. Control experiments were performed to shed light on the possible intermediates generated during the present protocol.