Organometallic cycloaddition reaction

Free 1,2,5-triphospha Dewar benzene derivative 95 is formed in two steps from 3 mol of 44a by oxidative decomplexation of the triphosphacyclohexa-l,4-diyl-2,5-diene ligand of the Hf complex 96 <1997CB1491>. An organometallic [2+1+1] cycloaddition reaction between the phosphinidene complex 97, 44a, and a coordinated CO gives access to the 1,2-diphosphacyclobutenone complex 98 (Scheme 31) <1998CEJ1917>. 

Without question, the metal-promoted cycloaddition of three alkynes to produce benzenes is the most extensively studied organometallic cycloaddition in intramolecular versions. Early work indicated the utility of Ni° systems e.g. Ni(CO)2(PPh3)2), Ziegler catalysts and rhodacyclopentadienes in the partially intramolecular cocycloaddition of a,b>-diynes with additional alkynes. Ziegler catalysts were noteworthy in giving rise to products containing the benzocyclobutene moiety from reactions of 1,5-hex-adiyne, while the Rh systems showed considerable utility in the preparation of anthraquinone derivatives from appropriate diyne precursors (Scheme 29). 

It appears likely that transient metallacyclobutanes are involved in a variety of organic reactions which are catalyzed by transition metal complexes. Thus, cycloadditions of activated alkenes to strained hydrocarbons such as quadricyclane and bicyclo[2.1.0]pentane are catalyzed by complexes such as Ni(CH2=CHCN)2 and probably involve initial formation of a nickelacyclobutane (Scheme 2) (79MI12200). The nature of the organometallic intermediates in related metal-catalyzed rearrangements (72JA7757) and retro-cycloaddition reactions (76JA6057) of cyclopropanoid hydrocarbons, e.g. bicyclo[n.l.O]alkanes, has been discussed. 

A143. H. Ulrich, Cycloaddition Reactions of Heterocumulenes. Academic Press, New York, 1967. 364 pp. Thirty pages deal with organometallic compounds. 

---