Cp*W(NO)(CH 2 CMe 3 )(η 3 -CH 2 CHCMe 2 ) (1) initiates a stepwise conversion of methane into unsymmetrical unsaturated ketones. The first step involves the activation of methane by 1 in cyclohexane to form Cp*W(NO)(CH 3 )(η 3 -CH 2 CHCMe 2 ) (2) in good yield as a mixture of two isomers that differ with respect to the exo/endo orientation of their allyl ligands. Subsequent exposure of a cyclohexane solution of 2 to 500 psig of CO pressure and 75 °C for 3 h results in the 1,1-insertion of CO into the W−CH 3 linkage of 2 and formation of the yellow acyl complex Cp*W(NO)(C(O)CH 3 )(η 3 -CH 2 CHCMe 2 ) (5). Additional carbonylation of 2 can be effected by maintaining the cyclohexane solution at 750 psig of CO pressure and 75 °C for 3 days, a process that results in the formation of the isomeric η 2 -unsaturated-ketone complexes Cp*W(NO)(CO)(η 2 -Me 2 CCHCH 2 C(O)CH 3 ) (6a) and Cp*W(NO)(CO)(η 2 -H 2 CCHCMe 2 C(O)CH 3 ) (6b) in a 60:40 ratio. Finally, exposure of 2 to CO under more forcing conditions (1000 psig at 170 °C for 3 days) produces Cp*W(NO)(CO) 2 (8) and the isomeric β,γ-unsaturated ketones 5-methylhex-4-en-2-one (9a), 3,3-dimethylpent-4-en-2-one (9b), and trans-5methylhex-3-en-2-one (9c) in a 92:5:3 ratio. Similarly, maintaining an Et 2 O solution of 1 at 1000 psig of CO and 170 °C for 3 days results in the complete conversion of 1 into 8 and liberates 2,2,7-trimethyloct-6-en-4-one (10). The final organometallic complex, 8, can be reconverted into the initial reactant 1 via Cp*W(NO)Cl 2 , which in turn is cleanly obtained by treatment of 8 with PCl 5 . All new compounds have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic and analytical methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of five of them have been established by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses.
■ RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONModified Synthesis of Complex 1. Compound 1 is best synthesized via a modification of the published procedure, 4