Iron‐Catalyzed Isomerizations of Olefins

Abstract

On the move: A highly practical olefin isomerization protocol under iron catalysis has been developed. The standard conditions involve reaction of the olefin at room temperature in THF with a simple pre-catalyst system. Allylbenzenes give propenylbenzenes; 1-alkenes can be selectively converted to 2-alkenes; isolated dienes give conjugated dienes; (Z)-olefins give (E)-olefins. The synthesis of propenyl-benzenes has also been realized by an iron-catalyzed allylation-isomerization domino reaction in good yields.