Fe(ii)-Catalyzed alkenylation of benzylic C-H bonds with diazo compounds.

We report herein an alkenylation of benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds with diazo compounds via carbon cation intermediates with DDQ as the oxidant in the presence of a catalytic amount of Fe(ii). Diphenylmethane, toluene, benzyl methyl sulfide and their derivatives could be applied as substrates to afford the tetra-substituted olefin products, which may serve as useful building blocks in organic synthesis.