Well-Defined Models for the Elusive Dinuclear Intermediates of the Pauson-Khand Reaction

The mechanism of the Pauson-Khand reaction has attracted significant interest due to the unusual dinuclear nature of the Co2 (CO)x active site. Experimental and computational data have indicated that the intermediates following the initial Co2 (CO)6 (alkyne) complex are thermodynamically unstable and do not build up in appreciable concentrations during the course of the reaction. As a consequence, the key steps that control the scope of viable substrates and various aspects of selectivity have remained largely uncharacterized. Herein, a direct experimental investigation of the dinuclear metallacycle-forming step of the Pauson-Khand reaction is reported. These studies capitalize on well-defined d(9) -d(9) dinickel complexes supported by a naphthyridine-diimine (NDI) pincer ligand as functional surrogates of Co2 (CO)8 .