Iron catalyzed hydrodebromination of 2-aryl-1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes

2-Aryl- or 2-heteroaryl-1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes are reduced by Grignard reagents in a THF+NMP mixture in the presence of a catalytic amount of iron salts, to afford the corresponding E vinyl bromides. Further application to the one pot reduction-cross coupling reaction with Grignard reagents is highlighted.