Stereocontrolled synthesis of acyclic 1,3-diols via condensation of tungsten-syn-pi-pentadienyl complexes with aldehydes. A new Prins reaction via s-trans-diene cationic intermediates

Relative hemilabilities of H2B(az)2 (az = pyrazolyl, dimethylpyrazolyl, methimazolyl) chelates in the complexes [M(η-C3H5)(CO)2{H2B(az)2}] (M = Mo, W)

The question of B–H–Mo hemilability in a range of dihydrobis(azolyl)borate scorpionate ligands is discussed with reference to η³-allyl complexes [Mo(η³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂{H₂B(az)₂}] [az = pyrazolyl (pz), dimethylpyrazolyl (pz*), mercaptoimidazolyl (mt)].

Diastereoselective conjugate additions to pi-allylmolybdenum complexes: a stereocontrolled route to 3,4,5-trisubstituted gamma-butyrolactones

[reaction: see text] pi-Allylmolybdenum complex 6b is obtained as a single isomer by Knoevenagel condensation of aldehyde 1 with Meldrum's acid. Conjugate additions of Grignard reagents to Meldrum's acid alkylidene derivative 6b are shown to be completely diastereoselective. Further functional group transformation of the 1,4-adducts, followed by demetalation, leads to trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans and gamma-butyrolactones. Whereas the synthesis of tetrahydrofurans (X = 2H) is not completely stereoselective, the gamma-butyrolactones (X = O) are obtained with good to excellent diastereoselectivities.