Recent Advances in Photoinduced Iron Catalysis for Decarboxylative C–Heteroatom Bonds Formation

Decarboxylative strategies for the direct formation of C-heteroatom bonds constitute a powerfuland efficient approach in contemporary organic synthesis. In recent years, photoinduced iron catalysis has emerged as a highly attractive platform for such transformations, owing to the natural abundance, cost-effectiveness, and low toxicity of iron. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances in iron-photocatalyzed decarboxylative C-heteroatom bonds formation, covering the formation of C-H, C-O, C-S, C-N, C-P, and C-Halogen bonds. These reactions typically proceed via a ligand-to-metal charge transfer process upon photoexcitation of in situ formed iron-carboxylate complexes, which generate carbon-centered radicals that are subsequently captured by various heteroatom-based radical acceptors. This methodology provides a sustainable and versatile tool for the late-stage functionalization of complex molecules, demonstrating significant potential as a complementary or alternative strategy to precious metal catalysis.