Molybdenum carbonyl compounds as catalysts for alkyne reactions

Abstract

Mo(CO) 6 and Cp 2Mo 2(CO) 6 with added phenol, 3-chlorophenol or iodine catalysed the polymerization and, to a lesser degree, the trimerization of alkynes, but if a mixture of iodine and phenol was added, an increase in trimer yield was observed. The I 2 reacted with the molybdenum carbonyl compounds, while the phenol associated with the alkynes to activate the system. With disubstituted alkynes, metathesis products were also formed.