Mechanism of the Bis(imino)pyridine-Iron-Catalyzed Hydromagnesiation of Styrene Derivatives

Peter G.N. Neate, Mark D. Greenhalgh, William W. Brennessel, Stephen P. Thomas*, Michael L. Neidig

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Iron-catalyzed hydromagnesiation of styrene derivatives offers a rapid and efficient method to generate benzylic Grignard reagents, which can be applied in a range of transformations to provide products of formal hydrofunctionalization. While iron-catalyzed methodologies exist for the hydromagnesiation of terminal alkenes, internal alkynes, and styrene derivatives, the underlying mechanisms of catalysis remain largely undefined. To address this issue and determine the divergent reactivity from established cross-coupling and hydrofunctionalization reactions, a detailed study of the bis(imino)pyridine iron-catalyzed hydromagnesiation of styrene derivatives is reported. Using a combination of kinetic analysis, deuterium labeling, and reactivity studies as well as in situ 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, key mechanistic features and species were established. A formally iron(0) ate complex [iPrBIPFe(Et)(CH2â•CH2)]- was identified as the principle resting state of the catalyst. Dissociation of ethene forms the catalytically active species which can reversibly coordinate the styrene derivative and mediate a direct and reversible β-hydride transfer, negating the necessity of a discrete iron hydride intermediate. Finally, displacement of the tridentate bis(imino)pyridine ligand over the course of the reaction results in the formation of a tris-styrene-coordinated iron(0) complex, which is also a competent catalyst for hydromagnesiation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10099-10108
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume141
Issue number25
Early online date31 May 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Jun 2019

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