Identification of binuclear acyl complexes as intermediates in the CO-induced conversion of [(η5-C5H5)Co(CO)(Me)]2 into acetone, and [(η5-C5H5)Co(CO)(Et)]2 into pentan-3-one

Abstract

Studies of the carbonylation of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Co(CO)(R)]₂(R = Me, Et) at temperatures below ambient have revealed that these complexes may be converted into ketones via binuclear diacyl complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Co(CO)(COR)]₂; the postulated mechanistic pathway circumvents the earlier-identified intermediate (η⁵-C₅H₅)Co(CO)R₂, and involves alkyl transfer from a Co^II acyl complex as a critical step.