Stoicheiometric reduction of activated olefins by co-ordinated and free tertiary alkyl phosphines
Abstract
Activated olefins, HR1CCR1H (R1= CO2Me or COPh), are reduced rapidly and stoicheiometrically by some alkyl phosphines, PR32, (R2= Et, Prn, or Bun), both free and initially bound to cobalt, in anhydrous methanol; the reaction proceeds by the formation of an ylide.