Cycloaddition reactions involving a metal

In examples 2.22 a and b the metals increase their valence by two, and this is not just a formalism as indeed the titanium(II) and the nickel(O) are very electron rich metal centres. During the reaction a flow of electrons takes place from the metal to the organic fragments, which end up as anions. In these two reactions the metal provides two electrons for the process as in oxidative addition reactions. The difference between cycloaddition and oxidative addition is that during oxidative addition a bond in the adding molecule is being broken, whereas in cycloaddition reactions fragments are combined. 

In view of the polarisation of the metal(+) carbon(-) bond an ionic intermediate may be expected. The retention of stereochemistry, if sometimes only temporarily, points to a concerted mechanism. 

As indicated under section 2.2. the overall result is the same as that of an insertion reaction, the difference being that insertion gives rise to a yw-addition and nucleophilic attack to an anri-addition. Sometimes the two reaction types are called inner sphere and outer sphere attack. There is ample proof for the anti fashion the organic fragment can be freed from the complex by treatment with protic acids and the organic product can be analysed [19], Appropriately substituted alkenes will show the syn or anti fashion of the addition. The addition reaction of this type is the key-step in the Wacker-type processes catalysed by palladium. 

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