Carboxylate lability as a factor in the Rh2(carboxylate)4-catalysed cyclopropenation and cyclopropanation of alkynes and alkenes
Abstract
The mechanism of Rh2(carboxylate)4-catalysed cyclopropenation and cyclopropanation via two different pathways has been investigated computationally. The two pathways either (a) conserve the Rh2O8 framework, with initial coordination of CH2N2 and further reaction occurring at an axial acceptor site, or (b) allow dechelation of carboxylate to liberate an equatorial site for