Visible-Light Mediated Oxidative Fragmentation of Ethers and Acetals by Means of Fe(III) Catalysis

A new method employing iron(III) acetylacetonate along with visible light is described to effect oxidative ring opening of cyclic ethers and acetals with unparalleled efficiency. The method allows for a photocatalytic radical chemistry approach to functionalize relatively inert cyclic ethers into useful synthetic intermediates. The methodology sheds further light on the use of underexplored iron complexes in visible-light photochemical contexts and illustrates that simple Fe(III) complexes can initiate redox processes from (LMCT)-L-4 excited states.

Automated summary

A new method using iron(III) acetylacetonate and visible light has been described to efficiently achieve oxidative ring opening of cyclic ethers and acetals. This approach enables the functionalization of relatively inert cyclic ethers into useful synthetic intermediates through photocatalytic radical chemistry. The study also highlights the potential of using underexplored iron complexes in visible-light photochemical reactions, demonstrating that simple Fe(III) complexes can initiate redox processes from (LMCT)-L-4 excited states.