Tris(acetylacetonato) Iron(III): Recent Developments and Synthetic Applications

Abstract

Tris(acetylacetonato) iron(III) [Fe(acac)3] is an indispensable reagent in synthetic chemistry. Its applications range from hydrogen atom transfer to cross-coupling reactions and to use as a Lewis acid. Consequently, the exceptional utility of Fe(acac)3 has been demonstrated in several total syntheses. This short review summarizes the applications of Fe(acac)3 in methodology and catalysis and highlights its use for the synthesis of medicinally relevant structures and in natural product syntheses. 1 Introduction 2 Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) 3 Oxidations and Radical Transformations 4 Synthesis and Use of Alkynes and Allenes 5 Cross-Couplings and Cycloisomerizations 6 Borylations 7 Miscellaneous Reactions 8 Conclusions