Zirconacyclopropanes and Zirconacyclopropenes. Their Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactions

Abstract

Abstract Zirconacyclopropenes represented by Cp2Zr(PhCCPh) (PR3) (4), where PR3 is PMe3 or PMePh2, have been prepared by the reaction of Cp2Zr(PR3)2 with PhC≡CPh, isolated as yellowish crystals, and spectroscopically characterized. Zirconacyclopropenes readily react with proton donors, carbonyl compounds, e.g., acetone, and alkynes to induce dimerization of alkynes and are likely intermediates in the ZrCp2-induced bicyclization of enynes.