The first practical asymmetric version of the intermolecular Pauson-Kh
and reaction has been developed based on novel chiral (non-racemic) al
koxy acetylene dicobalt hexacarbonyl complexes. The major adduct from
(1R, 2S)-2-phenylcyclohexyloxyethyne and norbomadiene, isolated in 58%
yield, is shown to be useful for obtaining chiral 4-substituted 2-cyc
lopentenones.