A supported Fe/Ru catalyzed three-component relay reaction through a hydrogen borrowing strategy: conversion of crude α-hydroxy acids into valuable N-heterocycles

An efficient Fe–Ru/γ-Al 2 O 3 relay catalyst was developed to promote the three-component reaction of biomass derived α-hydroxy acids and 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran with 2-nitroaromatic amines.