Unprecedented Iron‐Catalyzed Ester Hydrogenation. Mild, Selective, and Efficient Hydrogenation of Trifluoroacetic Esters to Alcohols Catalyzed by an Iron Pincer Complex

Abstract

The synthetically important, environmentally benign hydrogenation of esters to alcohols has been accomplished in recent years only with precious-metal-based catalysts. Here we present the first iron-catalyzed hydrogenation of esters to the corresponding alcohols, proceeding selectively and efficiently in the presence of an iron pincer catalyst under remarkably mild conditions.