C-Halide bond cleavage by a two-coordinate iron(i) complex.

Iron(i) species are debated as key intermediates during the C-halide activation step in Kumuda type C-C cross-coupling catalysis. However, there is only limited knowledge on the reactivity of isolable iron(i) complexes towards organohalides. Using the known two-coordinate iron(i) complex K{18c6}[FeI(N(SiMe3)2)2] we disclose its proficiency to rapidly cleave different types of carbon halide bonds including even C-F bonds. Mechanistic studies indicate stepwise one-electron processes with the involvement of organoradicals.