Iron/TEMPO-catalyzed direct aerobic oxidative coupling of methyl-mubstituted N-heteroazaarenes with alcohols

A novel direct oxidative coupling of methyl-substituted N-heteroazaarenes with alcohols has been developed to construct olefins under mild condition. The reaction is catalyzed by Fe(NO3)(3).9H(2)O/TEMPO with oxygen as terminal oxidant. A variety of E-disubstituted olefins bearing diverse functional groups could be obtained selectively in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction is environmentally friendly and ligand-free. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.