Merging Iron-Mediated Radical Ligand Transfer (RLT) Catalysis and Mechanochemistry for Facile Dihalogenation of Alkenes

With the growing emphasis on cost- and atom-economical chemical synthesis, mechanochemistry has attracted considerable attention for providing environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional solvent-based organic transformations. Herein, we demonstrate the use of mechanochemistry to facilitate alkene dihalogenation via iron-mediated radical ligand transfer (RLT) catalysis, producing diverse vicinal dichloro, dibromo, and bromochloro molecules. The method is characterized by its simplicity, rapid reaction time, high chemo- and regioselectivity, and broad functional group tolerance, accommodating both activated and unactivated alkenes and alkynes. Mechanistic insights suggest the radical nature of these processes, underscoring the effectiveness of mechanochemically driven RLT catalysis for the modular functionalization of unsaturated hydrocarbons.