Iron-Facilitated Direct Oxidative C−H Transformation of Allylarenes or Alkenes to Alkenyl Nitriles

This paper describes the first direct approach to alkenyl nitriles from allylarenes or alkenes facilitated by an inexpensive homogeneous iron catalyst. Three C−H bond cleavages occur under the mild conditions during this process. Mechanistic studies indicate that the cleavage of the allyl C(sp3)−H bond is involved in the rate-determining step. This observation may provide an opportunity to achieve C(sp3)−H functionalization catalyzed by an iron catalyst.