Abstract
The main challenges in the modern synthesis prompt the method development by using iron catalysts. The functionalization of unactivated C-H bonds has been a focal point of experimental and theoretical research and play important roles among these synthesis routes. In iron-catalyst C-H activations, ferric and ferrous salts catalyzed various types C-H bonds, for example sp C-H, sp2 C-H and sp3 C-H, have been studied extensively. Iron-catalyzed C-H bonds transformation are employed in the design of even more active excellent catalysts and stereospecific organic compounds. However, the fundamental understanding of structure and reactivity is rather limited. The review covers the booming developments in the past couples of years and provides a deeper insight of the reaction complexity. This review would give a positive impact on the applications in industry, natural products, pharmacy, and bioactive compounds on the next generation of chemical syntheses.
Keywords: C-H activation, iron-catalyzed, cross-coupling, cross-dehydrogenative coupling, reaction mechanism, C-H bondbreaking step, ferrous and ferric salts, C(sp)-C(sp2) Bond, Quinolines, Arylation