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RESEARCH PRODUCT

N-Methylcaprolactam as a Dipolar Aprotic Solvent for Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions: Matching Efficiency with Safer Reaction Media

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Although iron‐catalysis provides a powerful alternative to the more conventional palladium and nickel in the cross‐coupling arena, the major limitation is the necessity for carcinogenic N‐methylpyrrolidone as a co‐solvent in the vast majority of catalytic reactions. Herein, we introduce N‐methylcaprolactam as an efficient, non‐toxic and practical dipolar aprotic solvent for iron‐catalyzed C(sp2)−C(sp3) alkylative cross‐coupling of aryl chlorides and tosylates. The utility of this method is reflected by its wide substrate scope, high yields and capacity to cross‐couple challenging alkyl organometallics prone to b‐hydride elimination and homocoupling. Considering the broad utility of iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling, we envision that N‐methylcaprolactam will find wide application as a substitute for carcinogenic NMP.