Reductive etherification of aldehydes photocatalyzed by dicarbonyl pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iron complexes

Abstract

The reductive etherification of aldehydes can be performed by the reaction with dialkylmethylsilanes in the presence of new iron(II) piano-stool catalysts of general formula Cp *Fe(CO) 2Ar (Cp * = η 5-C 5Me 5; Ar = Ph, 4-C 6H 4OCH 3, 4-C 6H 4CH 3, Fc). This transformation is promoted by UV light and affords a simple route for the preparation of unsymmetrical alkyl ethers. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.