Stereoselective iron-catalyzed alkyne hydrogenation in ionic liquids

Abstract

Iron(0) nanoparticles in ionic liquids (ILs) have been shown to catalyse the semi-hydrogenation of alkynes. In the presence of a nitrile-functionalised IL or acetonitrile, stereoselective formation of (Z)-alkenes was observed. The biphasic solvent system allowed facile separation and re-use of the catalyst.