Iron-catalyzed regioselective cyclotrimerization of alkynes to benzenes

Abstract

Abstract We report the synthesis and characterization of simple di(aminomethyl)pyridine ligated iron-pincer complexes, which catalyzed the regioselective [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of terminal aryl and alkyl alkynes to provide the 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzene molecules. Interestingly, internal alkynes also exhibited similar cyclization and resulted in hexa-substituted benzene compounds. Increased steric bulk on pincer ligands diminished the selectivity for cycloaddition. Cyclotrimerization reactions proceeded at room temperature upon activation of catalyst by a Grignard reagent. EPR studies indicated thermally induced spin crossover effect in catalyst.