Iron-catalyzed reductive cyclization of 1,6-enynes

Org Lett. 2014 Jan 17;16(2):386-9. doi: 10.1021/ol403257x. Epub 2013 Dec 26.

Abstract

A precatalyst of FeCl2 and iminopyridine was activated in situ by a combination of diethylzinc and magnesium bromide etherate; it catalyzed the reductive cyclization of 1,6-enynes to give pyrrolidine and tetrahydrofuran derivatives from N- and O-tethered 1,6-enynes. The scope of the transformation was explored.