Iron-catalyzed olefin hydrogenation at 1 bar H2 with a FeCl3–LiAlH4 catalyst

The scope and mechanism of a practical protocol for the iron-catalyzed hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes at 1 bar H2 pressure were studied. The catalyst is formed from cheap chemicals (5 mol% FeCl3–LiAlH4, THF). A homogeneous mechanism operates at early stages of the reaction while active nanoparticles form upon ageing of the catalyst solution