Dicobaltoctacarbonyl-mediated deoximation

Treatment of oxime O-acetates with Co-2(CO)(8) in the presence of a base, f ollowed by H2O at room temperature efficiently afforded the parent carbonyl compounds in high yields. Direct regeneration of carbonyl functionalities from the corresponding oxime derivatives was realized by successive exposur e to acetylation conditions, Co-2(CO)(8) in the presence of base, and H2O. In addition, N-monosubstituted hydrazone derivatives could generate the par ent carbonyl compound under the above conditions.