Reactions of tris(triphenylphosphine)dinitrogencobalt hydride with ethyl vinyl ether, vinyl acetate and methyl acrylate and general remarks on its reaction with terminal olefins

Abstract

Tris(triphenylphosphine)dinitrogencobalt hydride (I) reacts with vinyl ethyl ether and vinyl acetate to yield products of hydrogenation. A diamagnetic binuclear cobalt complex is formed in the reaction with vinyl acetate and a paramagnetic binuclear cobalt complex with vinyl ethyl ether. Methyl acrylate reacts with (I) to give methyl α- (d, l)-methylpropionylacetate, dimethyl α- d,l-methylglutarate, methyl adipate and dimethyl cyclobutane-1,2-dicarboxylate. In this reaction a paramagnetic cobalt complex is also formed and interaction of the unpaired electron with 1H is observed. The nature of the cobalt complexes in solution is discussed. Changes in the direction of reaction of (I) with substituted oleflns RCH=CH 2, when R is varied, are also discussed.