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(sp(3))-H bond is involved in the rate-determining step. This observation may provide an opportunity to achieve C(sp(3))-H functionalization catalyzed by an iron catalyst.