Iron-catalyzed Grignard cross-coupling with alkyl halides possessing beta-hydrogens.

Tris(acetylacetonato)iron(III) (Fe(acac)(3)) was found to be an efficient catalyst for the cross-coupling reaction between aryl Grignard reagents and alkyl halides possessing beta-hydrogens. The reaction is applicable to secondary alkyl halides as well as primary ones. [reaction: see text]