A Free‐Radical Reduction and Cyclization of Alkyl Halides Mediated by FeCl2

Abstract

AbstractIron mediated catalytic reactions are of great interest in the field of organic synthesis because they are economic and naturally abundant. However, the use of iron catalyst in the field of free radical cyclization or reduction of alkyl halides remains limited. Here we describe the use of an unprecedented combination of iron and zinc in the reduction and 5‐exo‐trig radical cyclization of alkyl halides under mild condition in the absence of added ligands or additives. The method is distinguished by its wide scope, functional group tolerance and the use of 1,4‐cyclohexadiene as the source of hydrogen, which aids easy purification.