Alkylation of Ketones Catalyzed by Bifunctional Iron Complexes: From Mechanistic Understanding to Application

Abstract Cyclopentadienone iron dicarbonyl complexes were applied in the alkylation of ketones with various aliphatic and aromatic ketones and alcohols via the borrowing hydrogen strategy in mild reaction conditions. DFT calculations and experimental works highlight the role of the transition metal Lewis pairs and the base. These iron complexes demonstrated a broad applicability in mild conditions and extended the scope of substrates.