Highly Selective Iron-Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkenes by the Reduction of Alkynes

Herein, the iron-catalyzed reduction of a variety of alkynes with silanes as a reductant has been examined. With a straightforward catalyst system composed of diiron nonacarbonyl and tributyl phosphane, excellent yields and chemo-selectivities (> 99%) were obtained for the formation of the corresponding alkenes. After studying the reaction conditions, and the scope and limitations of the reaction, several attempts were undertaken to shed light on the reaction mechanism.