Daniel F. Harvey

Molybdenum carbene complexes: Cyclopropanation of electron-poor olefins

Abstract Fischer carbene complexes of molybdenum have been prepared and found to readily cyclopropanate electron-poor olefins in good yield.

Stereoselective formation of 1,4-dialkoxy-1,3-dienes from propargyl ethers and molybdenum carbene complexes

Abstract Under mild conditions, 1-4-dialkoxy-1,3-butadienes can be smoothly prepared with a high level of stereoselectivity by thermolysis of molybdenum carbene complexes in the presence of propargyl ethers.

Lewis acid catalyzed rearrangement of donor-acceptor substituted vinylcyclopropanes

Abstract A donor-acceptor substituted vinylcyclopropane has been found to readily rearrange with concomitant loss of methanol to form a cyclopentadiene system.

Cyclization reactions of molybdenum and chromium carbene complexes with enynes

Thermolysis of enynes with pentacarbonyl(butylmethoxycarbene)molybdenum (0) 1a produces vinylcyclopropanes in significantly higher yields than the analogous chromium carbene complexes 1b and 3. Additionally, enynes with an allylic ether substituent are shown to cyclize to vinylcyclopropanes in good to excellent yield.

Synthesis and reactivity of alkynyloxy molybdenum carbene complexes : formation of cyclopropyl substituted dihydrofurans and dihydropyrans

Abstract Alkynyloxycarbene complexes of molybdenum have been found to readily cyclize to give cyclopropyldihydrofurans and cyclopropyldihydropyrans upon thermolysis in the presence of methyl acrylate.