Iron Catalyzed Hydroformylation of Alkenes under Mild Conditions: Evidence of an Fe(II) Catalyzed ProcessClick to copy article linkArticle link copied!
- Swechchha PandeySwechchha PandeyPolymer Science and Engineering Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-411008, IndiaMore by Swechchha Pandey
- K. Vipin RajK. Vipin RajPhysical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-411008, IndiaMore by K. Vipin Raj
- Dinesh R. ShindeDinesh R. ShindeCentral NMR Facility, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-411008, IndiaMore by Dinesh R. Shinde
- Kumar VankaKumar VankaPhysical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-411008, IndiaMore by Kumar Vanka
- Varchaswal KashyapVarchaswal KashyapPhysical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-411008, IndiaMore by Varchaswal Kashyap
- Sreekumar KurungotSreekumar KurungotPhysical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-411008, IndiaMore by Sreekumar Kurungot
- C. P. VinodC. P. VinodCatalysis Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-411008, IndiaMore by C. P. Vinod
- Samir H. Chikkali*Samir H. Chikkali*[email protected]Polymer Science and Engineering Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-411008, IndiaAcademy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001, IndiaMore by Samir H. Chikkali
Abstract

Earth abundant, first row transition metals offer a cheap and sustainable alternative to the rare and precious metals. However, utilization of first row metals in catalysis requires harsh reaction conditions, suffers from limited activity, and fails to tolerate functional groups. Reported here is a highly efficient iron catalyzed hydroformylation of alkenes under mild conditions. This protocol operates at 10–30 bar syngas pressure below 100 °C, utilizes readily available ligands, and applies to an array of olefins. Thus, the iron precursor [HFe(CO)4]−[Ph3PNPPh3]+ (1) in the presence of triphenyl phosphine catalyzes the hydroformylation of 1-hexene (S2), 1-octene (S1), 1-decene (S3), 1-dodecene (S4), 1-octadecene (S5), trimethoxy(vinyl)silane (S6), trimethyl(vinyl)silane (S7), cardanol (S8), 2,3-dihydrofuran (S9), allyl malonic acid (S10), styrene (S11), 4-methylstyrene (S12), 4-iBu-styrene (S13), 4-tBu-styrene (S14), 4-methoxy styrene (S15), 4-acetoxy styrene (S16), 4-bromo styrene (S17), 4-chloro styrene (S18), 4-vinylbenzonitrile (S19), 4-vinylbenzoic acid (S20), and allyl benzene (S21) to corresponding aldehydes in good to excellent yields. Both electron donating and electron withdrawing substituents could be tolerated and excellent conversions were obtained for S11–S20. Remarkably, the addition of 1 mol % acetic acid promotes the reaction to completion within 16–24 h. Detailed mechanistic investigations revealed in situ formation of an iron-dihydride complex [H2Fe(CO)2(PPh3)2] (A) as an active catalytic species. This finding was further supported by cyclic voltammetry investigations and intermediacy of an Fe(0)–Fe(II) species was established. Combined experimental and computational investigations support the existence of an iron-dihydride as the catalyst resting state, which then follows a Fe(II) based catalytic cycle to produce aldehyde.
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