C-H Activation of Imines by Trimethylphosphine-Supported Iron Complexes and Their Reactivities

First examples of ortho-metalated mono-iron complexes of monodentate N-donor ligands via C-H activation have been synthesized. Treatment of benzylicimines and ketimines with Fe(CH3)(2)(PMe3)(4) and Fe(PMe3)(4) under mild conditions results in ortho-metalated hydrido-iron(II) and methyl-iron(II) complexes in high yields, and their iodomethane reactions give thermally stable iodo-iron(II) compounds, which are interesting versatile nucleophiles in organometallic and organic chemistry.