Acrylonitrile complexes with rhodium

Examples of the insertions of alkenes or alk5mes into metal-amido bonds are also rare. Examples of the insertions of alkenes into tihe M-N bonds of isolated amido complexes include the reaction of a rhodium anilide complex with alkenes to form imines witii kinetic behavior that is consistent with migratory insertion,and the formal insertion of the strongly electrophilic acrylonitrile into a platinum anilide. Additional examples include reactions of a lanthanide-amido complex generated in situ, a catalytic carboamination process in which the stereochemistry implies insertions of olefins into amides, and a catalytic hydroamination that appears to occur through an aminoalkyl complex generated by S3m addition of the iridium and amido groups across the C=C bond of norbomene. 

The ability of chiral bis(camphorquinone-a-dioximato)cobalt(Il) complexes (Section 1.2.1.2.4.2.6.3.1.) to catalyze carbene transfer from diazocarbonyl compounds (diazoacetic esters, 2-diazo-l-phenylethan-l-one) to terminal alkenes conjugated with vinyl, aryl, carbonyl, and cyano groups, has already been mentioned. The ee-values are 75-88 /o at best, often lower. The highest values are again obtained with bulky diazoacetic esters. The significance of these catalysts, however, is their ability to promote cyclopropanation of electron-deficient alkenes, such as acrylates and acrylonitriles, in contrast to the rhodium and copper catalysts discussed above. 

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