Iron-Catalyzed Photoredox Functionalization of Methane and Heavier Gaseous Alkanes: Scope, Kinetics, and Computational Studies

Herein, we report the development of the photocatalytic C-H functionalization of methane, ethane, and heavier gaseous alkanes with good yields and selectivity, broad scope (57 examples), mild conditions, and low cost. Kinetics and density functional theory calculations were investigated for the key photoinduced ligand-to-metal charge transfer and hydrogen atom transfer processes to reveal the detailed mechanism of iron photocatalysis. This work may bring novel ideas for feedstock upgrading and catalyst design.