CH bond activation by rhodium(I) and the mechanism of the olefin isomerization: new synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated ketones via η¹- or η³-alkylallylrhodium(III) complexes by reductive elimination

Acylrhodium(III)-η³-1-ethylallyl complex (7) was prepared by the reaction of 8-quinolinecarboxaldehyde (3) and 1,4-pentadienerhodium(I) chloride (2) by CH bond activation, followed by hydrometallation, and double bond migration. Higher concentrations of pyridine as coordinating ligand transforms η³-1-ethylallylrhodium(III) complexes (8a,8b) into η¹-pent-2-enylrhodium(III) complex (11a). Acylrhodium(III)-η³-syn,anti-1,3-dimethylallyl complex (14) was also prepared from 1,3-pentadienerhodium(I) chloride (16) and 3. The reductive elimination of acylrhodium(III)-η¹- and -η³-1-alkylallyl complexes by trimethylphosphite gives various β,γ-unsaturated ketones.