Phenolate Enabled General and Selective Fe/Ti Cocatalyzed Biaryl Cross-Couplings between Aryl Halides and Aryl Grignard Reagents

Modern Organometallic C-H Functionalizations with Earth-Abundant Iron Catalysts: An Update

Iron-catalyzed C-H activation has recently emerged as an increasingly powerful synthetic method for the step- and atom- economical direct C-H functionalizations of otherwise inert C-H bonds. Iron's low-cost and toxicity along with its catalytic versatility have encouraged the scientific community to elect this metal for the development of new C-H activation methodologies. Within this review, we aim to present a collection of the most recent examples of iron-catalyzed C-H functionalizations with a particular emphasis on modern synthetic strategies and mechanistic aspects.

Chemo- and Regioselective Alkylation of Pyridine N-Oxides with Titanacyclopropanes

While titanacyclopropanes are used to react mainly with ester, amide, and cyano to undergo cyclopropanation, herein they react preferentially with pyridine N-oxide to accomplish C2-H alkylation beyond these functionalities with double regioselectivity. After being pyridylated at the less hindered C-Ti bond, the remaining C-Ti bond of titanacyclopropanes can be further functionalized by various electrophiles, allowing facile introduction of complex alkyls onto the C2 of pyridines. Its synthetic potential has been demonstrated by late-stage diversification of drugs.

Fe-Catalyzed Difunctionalization of Aryl Titanates Enabled by Fe/Ti Synergism

Fe-catalyzed difunctionalization of aryl titanates via double C-H activation has been developed, where aryl titanates were arylated via ortho C-H activation, followed by ipso electrophilic trapping of the C-Ti bond. The ortho C-H arylation should be promoted by a 1,2-Fe/Ti synergistic heterobimetallic arylene intermediate and represents an ortho C-H ferration directed by a readily transformable C-Ti group. Common benzamides, esters, and nitriles function as arylating reagents, which involves another ortho C-H activation directed by these functionalities.

Synergism of Fe/Ti Enabled Regioselective Arene Difunctionalization

Regioselective difunctionalization of arenes remains a long-standing challenge in organic chemistry. We report a novel and general Fe/Ti synergistic methodology for regioselective synthesis of various polysubstituted arenes through either E/E' or Nu/E ortho difunctionalizations of arenes. Preliminary results showed that an unprecedented 1,2-Fe/Ti heterobimetallic arylene intermediate bearing two distinct C-M bonds is essential to the regioselective difunctionalization.

Samarium-based Grignard-type addition of organohalides to carbonyl compounds under catalysis of CuI

Grignard-type additions were readily achieved under the mediation of CuI (10 mol%) and samarium (2 equiv.) by employing various organohalides, e.g. benzyl, aryl, heterocyclic and aliphatic halides (Cl, Br or I), and diverse carbonyl compounds (e.g. carbonic esters, carboxylic esters, acid anhydrides, acyl chlorides, ketones, aldehydes, propylene epoxides and formamides) to afford alcohols, ketones and aldehydes, respectively, with high efficiency and chemoselectivity, in which the organosamarium intermediate might be involved.

Organic synthesis with the most abundant transition metal–iron: from rust to multitasking catalysts

The promising aspects of iron in synthetic chemistry are being explored for three-four decades as a green and eco-friendly alternative to late transition metals. This present review unveils these rich iron-chemistry towards different transformations.

Iron-catalyzed stereospecific arylation of enol tosylates using Grignard reagents

Iron-catalyzed stereospecific arylation of enol tosylates with Grignard reagents.

Iron N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in homogeneous catalysis

This review article summarizes recent development of homogeneous iron N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts.

Iron catalyzed stereoselective alkene synthesis: a sustainable pathway

Replacing expensive or toxic transition metals with iron has become an important trend. This article summarises the recent progresses of a wide range of Fe-catalyzed reactions for accessing various stereodefined alkenes.