Iron oxide mediated direct C–H arylation/alkylation at α-position of cyclic aliphatic ethers

We report a new and efficient iron oxide catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between organometallic species such as alkyl/arylmagnesium halides or organolithium species and α-hydrogen bearing cyclic aliphatic ethers via activation of C(sp(3))-H. This is the first example of iron oxide mediated direct C-C bond formation without expensive or toxic ligands.