Iron-Catalyzed Chemoselective Reduction of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

Abstract

An iron-catalyzed chemo- and diastereoselective reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones into the corresponding saturated ketones in mild reaction conditions is reported herein. DFT calculations and experimental work underline that transfer hydride reduction is a more facile process than hydrogenation, unveiling the fundamental role of the base.

Keywords: catalysis; iron complexes; ligand-assisted reactions; reduction; unsaturated ketones.