Non-linear chemical dynamics in the activation of haloalkanes by iron(III)

Catalytic dehydrohalogenation of dihaloalkanes with Fe(III) and its mechanism has been investigated. Damped oscillations of the reaction mixture were observed when the reactions were carried out at 50°C in evacuated systems. We have described the main features of this behavior taking into account the organometallic intermediates, the reversibility of the reaction and the catalyst transformation.