THE REACTION OF TRIPHENYLCARBINOL WITH HCo(CO)4

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-328X(00)86913-2

The reaction of Ph3COH with 2 mol of HCo(CO)4 gives Ph3CH in quantitative yield.The reaction is cleanly second order (k₂ = 2.50 x 10^-4 l mol^-1 s^-1, in CH2Cl2 at 20 deg C), first order with respect to each reactant.The rate increases markedly with increase in solvent polarity, suggesting Ph3C⁺ as an intermediate.The rate of the reaction of HCo(CO)4 with Ph3<*>CBF4 is more than 10³ as fast as with Ph3COH.No evidence for the functioning of HCo(CO)4 as a hydride donor could be secured.