Fe-Catalyzed B–H and N–H insertion reactions of iodonium ylides†

Herein, B–H and N–H insertion reactions of iodonium ylides in the presence of an iron catalyst complexed with imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine are developed, achieving the borylation and amination of 1,3-dicarbonyl derivatives under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic investigations show that an iron carbene is involved in this process. Besides, this reaction features high efficiency, a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance, and propionate ester scaffolds can be introduced into various drug molecules via this protocol.