Reaction of iron aminocarbene complexes with electronically deficient alkenes

Thermal reaction of iron aminocarbene complexes bearing aromatic substituent (CO)4FeC(Ar)N(CH3)2 with methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile and methyl vinyl ketone furnishes 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds — formal products of Michael addition of an acyl anion and the alkene. Nonactivated, di- and trisubstituted alkenes are unreactive under the same conditions.