α‑C–H Functionalization of π‑Bonds Using Iron Complexes: Catalytic Hydroxyalkylation of Alkynes and Alkenes

The discovery of catalytic systems based on earth-abundant
transition
metals for the functionalization of C–H bonds enables streamlined
and sustainable solutions to problems in synthetic organic chemistry.
In this Communication, we disclose an iron-based catalytic system
for the functionalization of propargylic and allylic C–H bonds.
Inexpensive and readily available cyclopenta­dienyliron­(II) dicarbonyl
complexes were employed as catalysts for a novel deprotonative
activation mode for C–H functionalization, an approach that
allows for the direct union of unsaturated building blocks with aryl
aldehydes and other carbonyl electrophiles to deliver a range of unsaturated
alcohol coupling products under operationally simple and functional
group tolerant reaction conditions.