Acylzirconocenes in Organic Synthesis

Although this migratory insertion of CO into a carbon—zirconium bond accounts for the majority of acylzirconocene complexes that have been reported, the CO insertion 

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Clear formation of ketene—zirconocene complexes upon treatment of acylzirconocene chlorides with a hindered amide base indicates that the carbonyl group of the acylzirconocene chloride possesses usual carbonyl polarization (Scheme 5.10). However, these zirconocene—ketene complexes are exceptionally inert due to the formation of strongly bound dimers [13a], Conversion of the dimer to zirconocene—ketene—alkylaluminum complexes by treating with alkylaluminum and reaction with excess acetylene in toluene at 25 °C has been reported to give a cyclic enolate in quantitative yield. Although the ketene—zirconocene—alkylaluminum complex reacts cleanly with acetylene, it does not react with ethylene or substituted acetylenes [13b]. Thus, the complex has met with limited success as a reagent in organic synthesis. 

Acylzirconocene chlorides are easily accessible in a one-pot procedure through the hydrozirconation see Hydrozirconation) of alkene or alkyne derivatives with the Schwartz s reagent and subsequent migratory insertion see Migratory Insertion) of carbon monoxide into the alkyl- or alkenyl zirconium bond. The stability of the acylzirconocene chlorides is remarkable at room temperature, and consequently allows many applications in organic synthesis. 

Although the chemistry described in Sections 5.3.2.1 and 5.3.2.2 indicates an attractive feature of the acylzirconocene chloride complex for carbon—carbon bond formation, application to the synthesis of metal-free organic molecules has not been extensively studied. 

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