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Updated: Jan 6, 2026

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Published on: November 9, 2019
Cobalt-Catalyzed Double Carbonylation of Cyclopropenes through a Stereodivergent β-Alkenyl Ketene Pathway
Jian Song1, Xuening Li1, Dacao Yu1
1Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Material Technology, College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Ketenes represent an important class of reactive intermediates that serve as key precursors in pharmaceutical and organic synthesis, enabling access to a diverse array of multifunctional and valuable compounds. Herein, we report a novel strategy for cobalt-catalyzed double carbonylation of cyclopropenes with carbon monoxide that proceeds via in situ-generated E- and Z-configured ketenes species, whose complementary roles are essential for the reaction's success. This transformation exhibits a broad substrate scope and delivers a series of naphthyl allylates with high E-selectivity. Furthermore, a detailed and coherent catalytic mechanism is proposed based on systematic experimental studies and DFT calculations. This work offers a new perspective for the advancement of ketene chemistry.
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