10.1021/om00150a023
The research aimed to investigate the reactivity of transition-metal carbyne complexes, particularly those of group 6 transition metals, and to understand the induction of carbonyl-carbyne coupling by chelating Schiff base ligands. The study focused on the synthesis and characterization of tungsten ketenyl complexes, which were derived from the reaction of tungsten carbyne complexes with pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde methylimine, followed by alkylation and metathesis processes. The researchers concluded that the addition of chelating Schiff base ligands led to the formation of ketenyl complexes through carbonyl-carbyne coupling, a process influenced by electronic factors and the presence of strong trans donor ligands. Key chemicals used in the process included tungsten carbyne complexes [(W=CR)Cl(CO)2(py)2], pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde methylimine, KOH, NEt4Cl, and methyl fluorosulfate, resulting in the formation of anionic tungsten ketenyl complexes and neutral tungsten alkoxyacetylene complexes. The molecular structure of one of the complexes was determined by X-ray crystallography, providing insights into the bonding and coordination geometry around the tungsten atom.