Iron-Catalyzed Oxidative C-C and C-O Coupling of Halophenols to α-Substituted β-Keto Esters

The iron-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of halophenols to -substituted -keto esters takes place through one of two modes: oxidative C-C coupling or oxidative C-O coupling. A mechanistic investigation revealed that the chemoselectivity of these reactions is determined by the electronic and steric properties of the two coupling partners.