(Cyclopentadienone)iron Complexes: Synthesis, Mechanism and Applications in Organic Synthesis

(Cyclopentadienone)iron tricarbonyl complexes are catalytically active, inexpensive, easily accessible and air-stable that are extensively studied as an active pre-catalyst in homogeneous catalysis. Its versatile catalytic activity arises exclusively due to the presence of a non-innocent ligand, which can trigger its unique redox properties effectively. These complexes have been employed widely in (transfer)hydrogenation (e. g., reduction of polar multiple bonds, Oppenauer-type oxidation of alcohols), C-C and C-N bond formation (e. g., reductive aminations, alpha-alkylation of ketones) and other synthetic transformations. In this review, we discuss the remarkable advancement of its various synthetic applications along with synthesis and mechanistic studies, until February 2021.

Automated summary

Cyclopentadienone iron tricarbonyl complexes, as active pre-catalysts in homogeneous catalysis, possess unique redox properties and are widely employed in various synthetic transformations.