Iron-catalyzed peroxidation of fluorenes and 9-alkyl-9H-fluorenes and oxidative cleavage of the CC bond in 9-alkylidene-fluorenes

Abstract

A newly developed (NNN)FeCl₂ complex was used as an efficient catalyst for the quaternary peroxidation of 9-alkyl-9H-fluorenes via selective C–H functionalization. This peroxidation involved a radical pathway. Peroxidation of 9H-fluorenes was also performed efficiently. The iron catalyst is also effective for the oxidative cleavage of the CC bond in 9-alkylidene fluorenes to yield 9-fluorenones.