Argon-hydrogen chloride complexes

OxUatiou of primary and secondary alcohals to carbonyl compounds. Corey and Kim report that the complex of N-chlorosuccinimide and dimethyl sulfide is somewhat superior to the complex of dimethyl sulfide and chlorine (this volume) for oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols the formation of hydrogen chloride is avoided and yields are generally higher. The procedure is illustrated for the oxidation of 4-r-butyl-cyclohexanol (2) to 4-r-butylcyclohexanonc (4). The complex (1) is prepared by addition of dimethyl sulfide (4.1 mmole) to a stirred solution of NCS (3.0 mmole) in toluene at 0° under argon. The mixture is cooled to -25° and a solution of 4-r-butylcyclo-hexanol (2.0 mmole, mixture of cis and trans) in toluene is added dropwise. The stirring is continued for 2 hr. at — 25° and then triethylamine (3.0 mmole) in toluene is added dropwise. The ketone (4) is obtained in almost quantitative yield. As in oxidation with the complex of dimethyl sulfide and chlorine, an intermediate sulfoxonium complex (3) is involved. 

Hydrogen chloride - argon (1/2) (effective symmetry class) (weakly bound complex) Ar2 -HCl... 

The metal is isolated commercially by a complex chemical process, the final stage of which is the hydrogen reduction of ammonium ruthenium chloride, which yields a powder. The powder is consolidated by powder metallurgy techniques or by argon-arc welding. 

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