Transition Metal-Mediated Carbon Monoxide Insertions

Cobalt, as its CpCo(CO)2 complex, has proven to be especially suited to catalyze [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of two alkyne units with an alkyne or alkene. These cobalt-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions have been studied in great detail by Vollhardt337. The generally accepted mechanism for these cobalt mediated cycloadditions, and similar transition metal mediated cycloadditions in general, has been depicted in equation 166. Consecutive co-ordination of two triple bonds to CpCo(CO)2 with concomitant extrusion of two molecules of carbon monoxide leads to intermediates 578 and 579 via monoalkyne complex 577. These react with another multiple bond to form intermediate 580. The conversion of 578 to 580 is said to be kinetically favored over that of 579 to 580. Because intermediates like 580 have never been isolated, it is still unclear whether the next step is a Diels-Alder reaction to form the final product or an insertion to form 581. The exact circumstances might determine which pathway is followed. 

While transition metals have been used extensive ) in C-gly coside construction, assigning a precise reactivity profile to C(l) can be difficult and this section will cover cases where nucleophilic character is apparent, albeit loosely defined. The use of palladium-mediated synthesis of C-glycosides has been reported and this topic, which involves an anomeric tin intermediate, has been covered in Sect. 2.2.2. The insertion of carbon monoxide into a carbon-metal (C(l)-metal) bond is, however, an important aspect of transition metal-mediated C-glycoside formation, and this process has been observed and exploited in a number of situations. 

Transition Metal-Mediated Carbon Monoxide Insertions... 

FIGURE 7.17 Example of transition metal-mediated carbon monoxide insertion reactions. 

Figure 2.11.1 Example of Transition Metal Mediated Carbon Monoxide Insertion Reactions...

An attractive pathway with a lot of potential uses the transition metal mediated reaction of organic halides with carbon monoxide. Suitable substrates are organic halides capable of oxidative addition to low-valent transition metal compounds. Insertion of carbon monoxide and reductive elimination of an acid halide will complete the catalytic cycle. In tins way it was shown tiiat allyl chloride yields butenoic acid chloride in >80% yield accor g to equation 22)P As well as palladium, rhodium and iridium also act catalytically. It is of no surprise that allylic halides, benzylic halides and aryl halides in particular are readily converted to acid halides. Simple aliphatic halid undergo the oxidative addition step more slowly and, if they cany hydrogen atoms on an sf hybridized C atom in the -position to the halogen atom, may give alkenes via 3-hydrogen elimination. Alkenes can also be converted to acid halides widi carbon monoxide in the presence of transition metal catalysts in solvents such as methylene chloride or tetrachloromethane. ... 

In view of the extensive and fruitful results described above, redox reactions of small ring compounds provide a variety of versatile synthetic methods. In particular, transition metal-induced redox reactions play an important role in this area. Transition metal intermediates such as metallacycles, carbene complexes, 71-allyl complexes, transition metal enolates are involved, allowing further transformations, for example, insertion of olefins and carbon monoxide. Two-electron- and one-electron-mediated transformations are complementary to each other although the latter radical reactions have been less thoroughly investigated. 

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