Iron-catalyzed chemo- and stereoselective hydromagnesiation of diarylalkynes and diynes.

Diarylalkynes are chemo- and stereoselectively hydromagnesiated in high yields at room temperature with an iron species generated in situ from FeCl(2)and EtMgBr. Functional groups such as bromide, iodide, amine, phenoxide, and alkene are well tolerated. Under similar conditions, diynes are chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectively hydromagnesiated. The resulting alkenylmagnesium compounds are a platform for further functionalization as a one-pot reaction.