Deprotonation of the secondary phosphine ligand in the complex [Mo(COMe)(CO) 2 (PPh 2 H)(η-C 5 H 5 )] 1 with DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) at Ϫ78 ЊC followed by reaction with DMAD (dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, MeO 2 CC᎐ ᎐ ᎐ CCO 2 Me) afforded the vinylphosphine complex trans-[Mo(COMe)(CO) 2 {PPh 2 C(CO 2 Me)᎐ ᎐ CHCO 2 Me}-(η-C 5 H 5 )] 2a after protonation. The crystal structure of this compound confirms that the phosphine ligand is formed exclusively as the Z isomer. A similar reaction employing methyl propiolate afforded an analogous product [Mo(COMe)(CO) 2 (PPh 2 CH᎐ ᎐ CHCO 2 Me)(η-C 5 H 5 )] 2b with complete regioselectivity but less stereoselectivity in that three isomers (trans-E, trans-Z and cis-E) are formed in a ratio of 9.4 : 2.8 : 1. Deprotonation of 1 at room temperature, which has previously been shown to form the anion [Mo(CO) 2 (PPh 2 COMe)Cp] Ϫ by migration of the acetyl group to phosphorus, followed by treatment with DMAD and rapid addition of acid produces the acryloyl complex [Mo{COC(CO 2 Me)᎐ ᎐ CHCO 2 Me}(CO)(PPh 2 COMe)(η-C 5 H 5 )] 3a, accompanied by the chelating vinyl species [Mo{C(CO 2 Me)᎐ ᎐ CHCOOMe}(CO) 2 (η-C 5 H 5 )] 4. A similar reaction with methyl propiolate gave] 5 was formed as the minor product. Finally, deprotonation of 1 at room temperature followed by treatment with DMAD without subsequent addition of acid gives the metallacycle [Mo{PPh 2 COCH᎐ ᎐ C(CO 2 Me)}(CO) 2 (η-C 5 H 5 )] 6. Scheme 1 Deprotonation of [Fe(COMe)(CO)(PPh 2 H)(η-C 5 H 5 )] and reaction with activated alkynes. Reagents and conditions: (i) n-BuLi, thf, Ϫ78 ЊC, then HC᎐ ᎐ ᎐ CCO 2 Me, then acetic acid; (ii) n-BuLi, thf, Ϫ78 ЊC, then DMAD, then acetic acid.