Application Iron powder is commonly used as the catalyst for a wide variety of organic transformations. Applications include: Reduction of nitroaromatic compounds to aromatic amines. Iron-mediated polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent, 2-cyanoprop-2-yl 1-dithionaphthalate (CPDN). Synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2- a ]quinoxaline derivatives. Conversion of ketoximes to the corresponding ketones by treatment with iron powder. Iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of imidazoles with vinyl bromides and vinyl chlorides.