We report the photocatalytic functionalization of terminal alkenes to vicinal dichlorides
by using visible light and FeCl3 as a catalyst, LiCl as a chloride source, and air as an oxidant. The transformation
is proposed to be initiated by ligand-to-metal charge-transfer bond homolysis of a
Fe–Cl bond, giving a highly reactive chloride radical able to initiate the functionalization
of olefins. The process shows high chemoselectivity and broad functional-group tolerance
with yields of up to 94% under mild conditions.
Key words
iron catalysis - photocatalysis - ligand-to-metal charge transfer - chlorination -
alkenes - vicinal dichlorides