Iron catalysis nucleophilic substitution

Recently, Taillefer et al. reported an Fe/Cu cooperative catalysis in the assembly of N-aryl heterocycles by C—N bond formation [90]. Similarly, Wakharkar and coworkers described the N-arylation of various amines with aryl halides in the presence of Cu—Fe hydrotalcite [91]. Interestingly, Correa and Bolm developed a novel and promising ligand-assisted iron-catalyzed N-arylation of nitrogen nucleophiles without any Cu co-catalysts (Scheme 6.19) [92]. Differently substituted aryl iodides and bromides react with various amides and N-heterocycles. The new catalyst system consists of a mixture of inexpensive FeCl3 and N,N -dimethylethylenediamine (dmeda). Clearly, this research established a useful starting point for numerous future applications of iron-catalyzed arylation reactions. 

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