Iron-Catalyzed Ortho C-H Homoallylation of Aromatic Ketones with Methylenecyclopropanes

We report here a C-H homoallylation reaction of aromatic ketones with methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) only using a catalytic amount of Fe(PMe3)(4). A variety of aromatic ketones and MCPs are applicable to the reaction to form ortho-homoallylated aromatic ketones selectively via regioselective scission of the three-membered rings. The homoallylated products are amenable to further elaborations, providing functionalized 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes.

Automated summary

A new method for the C-H homoallylation reaction of aromatic ketones with methylenecyclopropanes using a catalytic amount of Fe(PMe3)(4) was reported, yielding selectively ortho-homoallylated aromatic ketones through regioselective scission of the three-membered rings. The homoallylated products are suitable for further modifications, leading to functionalized 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes.