Iron-catalyzed benzylic addition of 2-methyl azaarenes to substituted trifluoromethyl ketones

This paper demonstrated a new and economical methodology using Fe(ClO₄)₂·H₂O as a catalyst for the direct C(sp³)–H functionalization of 2-methyl azaarenes via addition to trifluoromethyl ketones. The use of Fe salts as a Lewis acid catalyst has shown great potential as an accessible, affordable, and effective catalyst for the reaction. Under mild, optimized conditions, an extensive range of 2-alkenylated azaarenes was produced with yields of up to 95%.