Synthesis and Characterization of Alkoxycarbonyl Cobalt Complexes via Direct Carbonylation Methods

Abstract

A series of alkoxycarbonyl cobalt(III) complexes has been prepared by carbonylation of the corresponding aliphatic alcohols. This reaction proceeds under mild conditions compatible with a wide range of functionalized alcohols, including alkenes, alkynes, arenes, halides, protected alcohols and amines. Two different protocols employing both Co(II) and Co(III) complexes as precursors have been developed and proceed with high efficiency for ligands such as salen and salophen. An unexpected transesterification was observed to interconvert alkoxycarbonyl products under acid catalysis. Characterization data, including NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry for all complexes and two X-ray structures, are provided.