Iron-catalyzed olefin hydrogenation at 1 bar H 2 with a FeCl 3 –LiAlH 4 catalyst

The scope and mechanism of a practical protocol for the iron-catalyzed hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes at 1 bar H 2 pressure were studied. The catalyst is formed from cheap chemicals (5 mol% FeCl 3 –LiAlH 4 , THF). A homogeneous mechanism operates at early stages of the reaction while active nanoparticles form upon ageing of the catalyst solution.