Iron (III) chloride hexahydrate catalyses the Michael reaction of 1, 3-dicarbonyl compounds with α, β-unsaturated ketones under mild and neutral conditions with extraordinary efficiency. The chemoselectivity of this FeIII-catalysed process is superior to that of the classic base-catalysed Michael reaction, since the latter suffers from various side reactions, namely drawbacks such as aldol cyclisations and ester solvolysis. Excellent yields and ...
