SELECTIVE FUNCTIONALIZATION OF ALKANES BY TRANSITION-METAL BORYL COMPLEXES

Simple transition-metal complexes of the formula CpM(CO)(n)BR2 [Cp* = C-5(CH3)(5)] containing an electrophilic, covalently bound main-group ligand react with alkanes and release products resulting from selecti ve functionalization of an alkane at the terminal position. These reac tions produce alkylboronate esters, which are common reagents in organ ic synthesis, Thus, the boryl complexes are rare chemical reagents tha t react selectivity at the terminal position of an alkane to provide s imple functionalized products. Mechanistic analysis shows that ligand dissociation is induced photochemically and that thermal reaction of t he resulting intermediate occurs with alkanes.