Chemoselective activities of Fe(III) catalysts in the hydrofunctionalization of allenes.

A range of tetrahydropyrans and piperidines were produced by Fe(III)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkoxylation and hydroamination reactions of allenes. Various Fe catalysts with different counterions were tested. Their activities toward allene and alkene activation depended sensitively on their counterion and reaction conditions. Mechanistic study of the reaction intermediates found a new reaction pattern involving the Fe catalysts and diene substrates.