Iron-facilitated direct oxidative C–H transformation of allyl arenes to alkenyl aldehydes

Abstract

A direct oxidative approach to alkenyl aldehydes from allyl arenes via allyl sp 3 C–H functionalization was disclosed. An inexpensive iron catalyst was employed to facilitate this transformation. The mechanistic studies indicate that the cleavage of the allyl sp 3 C–H bond is involved in the rate-determining step.