Oxygen-Dependent Ligand-Controlled Iron-Catalyzed Chemoselective Synthesis of Olefins and Vinyl Nitriles

Abstract

An oxygen-dependent ligand-controlled chemoselective synthesis of vinyl nitriles and E-olefins by coupling a variety of alcohols and benzyl cyanides, catalyzed by a wellcharacterized, air-stable, easy-to-prepare Fe(II) catalyst (1a) bearing a redox-active arylazo pincer (L 1a ) is reported. The azomoiety of the ligand backbone acts as an electron and hydrogen reservoir, enabling catalyst 1a to efficiently produce a broad spectrum of vinyl nitriles and E-olefins in moderate to good yields selectively under an oxygen and argon atmosphere, respectively.