Well-defined iron complexes have been studied intensively as an alternative for precious-metal
catalysts in recent years. Here we highlight the opportunities of using iron complexes
as catalysts in diene and alkene hydroboration. The iron complexes, supported by suitable
ligands, can be superior to precious-metal systems in terms of efficiency and selectivity
for alkene hydroborations with pinacolborane.
Key words
iron - alkene - organoboronate ester - hydroboration - homogeneous catalysis