REACTIONS OF METHYLTRIS(TRIARYLPHOSPHINE)COBALT III. ALDOL CONDENSATION CATALYSED BY METHYLTRIS(TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE)COBALT, (Ph3P)3CoCH3

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-328X(00)82942-3

Methyltris(triphenylphosphine)cobalt catalyses the aldol condensation of acetone and ethyl methyl ketone.From acetone mesityl oxide is obtained in ca. 70percent yield, while from ethyl methyl ketone 3-methyl-2-heptene-5-one and 3-methyl-3-heptene-5-one are formed in equal amounts in a total yield of about 100percent.The latter products are known to be those of base-catalysed aldol condensation.The corresponding aldols are also observed in small quantities.The reactions mostly take place in the absence of solvent.