The reaction of tetrachloromethane with oct-1-ene in the presence of [Mo2(CO)6(η5-C5H5)2] and other transition-metal complexes

Abstract

A study has been made of the mechanism of the addition reaction between CCl₄ and oct-1-ene in the presence of [Mo₂(CO)₆(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂]. On the basis of kinetic and spectroscopic evidence and an examination of the reaction of some related model compounds, it is suggested that the complex [Mo₂(CO)₆(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂] initially acts as a catalyst in a reaction proceeding by a redox catalysed mechanism. Gradual decomposition of all metal–carbonyl-containing species leads to this mechanism being replaced by a radical chain reaction, probably initiated by molybdenum-containing decomposition products. A brief comparison is made of the efficiency of a range of transition-metal complexes in promoting addition of CCl₄ to oct-1-ene in reactions performed under standard conditions.