Carbon-Oxygen Bond Activation by Transition Metal Complexes

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of Carbon–0xygen bond cleavage reactions promoted by transition metal complexes, particularly the conceptual and mechanistic aspects of C–0 bond activation by transition metal complexes. Carbon–oxygen single bonds as well as carbon–oxygen double bonds may be cleaved by transition metal complexes. The chapter deals with the cleavage of the carbon–oxygen single bonds in organic compounds and treats the carbon–oxygen double-bond cleavage later. Two types of processes have been recognized regarding allylic oxygen bond cleavage. One is the process giving products, resulting from the net oxidative addition of allylic compounds and the other is the consecutive-type process initiated by transition metal complexes having ligands such as hydride, alkyl, or alkoxide that may add to the allylic double bond to cause reactions. The C–0 bond cleavage of alkenyloxiranes to π-ally1 complexes can be accomplished with transition metal complexes other than palladium. For example, on treatment of alkenyloxiranes with iron, cobalt, or manganese carbonyls, various η3 allyloxycarbonycl omplexes have been obtained.