Iron(III)-catalyzed activation of C(sp2)-H and C(sp3)-H bonds for H/D exchange of arenes

Abstract Iron-catalyzed C-H activation reactions via organometallic Fe-C intermediates have been extensively studied during the past two decades. One issue remains to be clarified is whether iron(III) salts containing weakly coordinating anions could directly activate C(sp2)-H or C(sp3)-H bonds with...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chang Zheng, Yu Tang, Biao Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61428-3
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Summary:Abstract Iron-catalyzed C-H activation reactions via organometallic Fe-C intermediates have been extensively studied during the past two decades. One issue remains to be clarified is whether iron(III) salts containing weakly coordinating anions could directly activate C(sp2)-H or C(sp3)-H bonds without the assistance of a directing group. Herein, we report our finding that iron(III) salts containing weakly coordinating anions can indeed be effective catalyst for the direct activation of C(sp2)-H and C(sp3)-H bonds under weakly coordinating environment. This mechanism could be extended to other types of first-row transition metal complexes such as Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II). Thus, an iron(III) catalyzed H/D exchange reaction for aromatic C(sp2)-H bonds and the corresponding β-C(sp3)-H bonds of the alkyl substituents is developed, unlocking an easy access to the valuable deuterated aromatic products from feedstock chemicals.
ISSN:2041-1723