Modular 1,2,3-triazoles enabled iron-catalyzed CH arylations with broad scope. The novel triazole-based bidentate auxiliary is easily accessible in a highly modular fashion and allowed for user-friendly iron-catalyzed C(sp(2) )H functionalizations of arenes and alkenes with excellent chemo- and diastereoselectivities. The versatile iron catalyst also proved applicable for challenging C(sp(3) )H functionalizations, and proceeds by an organometallic mode of action. The triazole-assisted CH activation strategy occurred under remarkably mild reaction conditions, and the auxiliary was easily removed in a traceless fashion. Intriguingly, the triazole group proved superior to previously used auxiliaries.
Keywords: CH activation; chelation; iron; ruthenium; triazoles.
© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.