Iron catalyzed β-C(sp2)–H alkylation of enamides

An attractive and cheap alternative approach was developed for the β-C(sp2)–H (fluoro)alkylation of a range of cyclic and acyclic non-aromatic enamides using either FeCl2 as a catalyst or a stoichiometric amount of nontoxic iron powder. This reaction is regioselective and exhibits broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.