Aminocarbyne complexes derived from isocyanides activated towards electrophilic addition

When binding a low-valent electron-rich metal centre, isocyanides can be ac tivated towards beta -electrophilic attack at the N atom to give aminocarby ne complexes. The syntheses, structural and electronic properties of these compounds are reviewed, as well as their reactions, in particular, proton-i nduced C-C coupling to form diaminoacetylene complexes, deprotonation, dehy drogenation and addition of electrophiles across the metal-carbon triple bo nd. The kinetic and mechanistic studies performed on these systems are also described. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.