Recent Advances in Carbon-Based Iron Catalysts for Organic Synthesis

Abstract

Carbon-based iron catalysts combining the advantages of iron and carbon material are efficient and sustainable catalysts for green organic synthesis. The present review summarizes the recent examples of carbon-based iron catalysts for organic reactions, including reduction, oxidation, tandem and other reactions. In addition, the introduction strategies of iron into carbon materials and the structure and activity relationship (SAR) between these catalysts and organic reactions are also highlighted. Moreover, the challenges and opportunities of organic synthesis over carbon-based iron catalysts have also been addressed. This review will stimulate more systematic and in-depth investigations on carbon-based iron catalysts for exploring sustainable organic chemistry.

Fe–FeOx nanoparticles encapsulated in N-doped carbon material: a facile catalyst for selective synthesis of quinazolines from alcohols in water

“…The presence of a donating group is more favorable for the reaction, because electron-rich benzyl alcohols are easier to be oxidized to trigger the reaction. 34,[58][59][60] In addition, benzyl alcohols containing halogen groups were also well tolerated in the reaction to afford satisfactory yields of the desired products (4j-4l), and 1-naphthylmethanol could be converted to the corresponding quinoline with 93% yield (4m).…”

“…23–26 Iron is the most abundant transition metal in the earth's crust, with much better biocompatibilities, and lower price and toxicity compared to other metals. 27–30 Furthermore, iron-doped carbon materials display excellent oxidative abilities toward a wide range of substrates, including alcohols and unsaturated heterocycles, 27,31–35 which is key to these one-pot, three-component methods for the construction of quinazolines. 36–38…”

“…[23][24][25][26] Iron is the most abundant transition metal in the earth's crust, with much better biocompatibilities, and lower price and toxicity compared to other metals. [27][28][29][30] Furthermore, iron-doped carbon materials display excellent oxidative abilities toward a wide range of substrates, including alcohols and unsaturated heterocycles, 27,[31][32][33][34][35] which is key to these one-pot, threecomponent methods for the construction of quinazolines. [36][37][38] Along this line, we prepared a N-doped carbon coated Fe-FeO x material (Fe-FeO x @NC) for the three-component synthesis of quinazolines from alcohols in water under an air atmosphere (Scheme 1c).…”

Bio-Inspired Iron-Based Carbonic Anhydrase Mimic for CO2 Hydration and Conversion

“…Lewis acid sites are needed to activate CO 2 and OH – , while base sites are desired to increase the concentration of CO 2 and OH – near acid sites through absorbing CO 2 and neutralizing H + . FeN 4 site has been found to be ubiquitous in enzymes and their mimics as the active site owing to its excellent stability, redox, and Lewis acid properties. − On the other hand, MgO, as a cheap, non-toxic, strong alkaline oxide, has a high theoretical CO 2 adsorption capacity . Along this line, we reasoned that the combination of the FeN 4 site and MgO in one material would result in excellent CA-like activity.…”