Iron(II)—Bis(isonitrile) Complexes: Novel Catalysts in Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenations of Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Ketones.

Chiral iron(II)−bis(isonitrile) complexes catalyse the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones with enantioselectivities up to 91% ee, most likely via hydride transfer through imine intermediates, generated by in situ reduction of the isonitrile ligands, whereas iron acts as a Lewis acid to activate the ketone.