Semihydrogenation Of Internal Alkynes Research Articles

Catalytic Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Alkynes by a Cobalt Pincer Complex: Evidence of Roles for Both Co(I) and Co(II)

The Co(I) complex, [Co(N2)(CyPNP)] (CyPNP = anion of 2,5-bis-(dicyclohexylphosphinomethyl)pyrrole), is active toward the catalytic hydrogenation of terminal alkenes and the semi-hydrogenation of internal alkynes under 2 bar of H2 (g) at room temperature. The products of alkyne semi-hydrogenation are a mixture of E- and Z-alkenes. By contrast, use of the related cobalt(I) precatalyst, [Co(PMe3)(CyPNP)], results in formation of exclusively Z-alkenes. A semi-stable Co(II) species, [CoH(CyPNP)], can also be generated by treatment of degassed solutions of [Co(N2)(CyPNP)] with H2. The CoII-hydride displays activity toward both alkene hydrogenation and isomerization, but its instability hampers implementation as a catalyst. Several species relevant to potential catalytic intermediates have been isolated and detected in solution. These compounds include alkene and alkyne adducts of Co(I) as well as a Co(III) dihydride species. Catalytic results with the compounds examined are most consistent with a process involving shuttling between Co(I) and Co(III) states. However, generation of small quantities of Co(II) during catalytic turnover appears to be responsible for the isomerization observed for alkyne semi-hydrogenation. The interplay of cobalt oxidation states within the same catalyst system is discussed in the context of mechanistic scenarios for catalytic hydrogenation.

Aqueous phase semihydrogenation of alkynes over Ni–Fe bimetallic catalysts

Bimetallic Ni–Fe catalysts (Ni/Fe, 1 : 1, 1 : 3, and 3 : 1) are synthesized and explored for their catalytic activity in semihydrogenation of internal alkynes using H2 gas in water–ethanol solution.

(Z)-Selective Semihydrogenation of Internal Alkynes by Cobalt Catalysis

(Z)-Selective Semihydrogenation of Internal Alkynes by Cobalt Catalysis

Alkyne Semihydrogenation with a Well-Defined Nonclassical Co-H2 Catalyst: A H2 Spin on Isomerization and E-Selectivity.

The reactivity of a CoI-H2 complex was extended toward the semihydrogenation of internal alkynes. Under ambient temperatures and moderate pressures of H2, a broad scope of alkynes were semihydrogenated using a CoI-N2 precatalyst, resulting in the formation of trans-alkene products. Furthermore, mechanistic studies using 1H, 2H, and para-hydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) transfer NMR spectroscopy revealed cis-hydrogenation of the alkyne occurs first. The Co-mediated alkene isomerization afforded the E-selective products from a broad group of alkynes with good yields and E/Z selectivity.