ChemInform Abstract: Silylcobalt Carbonyl and New Catalytic Reactions

General features of HSiR3/CO/Co2(CO)8 catalytic reactions are discussed. This new catalytic system can bring about one-carbon chain extension reactions of olefins and various oxygen-containing compounds. The incorporated carbon monoxide is found in the products in the form of siloxymethylidene, siloxymethyl, or other carbon-functional groups. Two important catalytic species are involved. One is hydrocobalt carbonyl, which undergoes initial interaction with olefins, and the other is silylcobalt carbonyl, which reacts initially with oxygen-containing compounds. These processes lead to the formation of alkylcobalt carbonyl as the first intermediates. The subsequent course of the catalytic reaction heavily depends on the reaction conditions and the structure of the substrates, thus affording a variety of products. Accordingly, the reaction patterns may look somewhat complicated but the underlying principles are relatively simple. Common intermediates and common mechanistic features of the new catalytic reactions are discussed.