A Neutral FeCl3 Photocatalysis for C–C Bond Animation and Alkylation of Cyclic Alcohols

Abstract A modified method for iron-catalyzed C–C bond cleavage and amination and alkylation of nonactivated cyclic alcohols has been developed. Using FeCl3 as catalyst, the photoinduced ligand-to-metal charge transfer facilitates the generation of O-radicals from alcohols, the subsequent β-scission, and finally the radical trapping. Compared with the Fe(OR)3 catalysis, this mildly base-free system could enable the amination in a broader substrate scope with higher yields. Moreover, the C–C bond cleavage and alkylation of cyclic alcohols proceeds with electron-deficient olefins under these conditions.