FORMATION OF CARBENE SPECIES IN THE REACTION OF LITHIUM ALKYLS WITH MOLYBDENUM, TUNGSTEN, AND COBALT CHLORIDES

Ethyl derivatives of Mo and W and amyl derivatives of Mo undergo not only beta-cleavage with the formation of equimolar amounts of the corresponding alkane and alkene but also alpha-cleavage accompanied by the generation of carbene species (methyl- and butylcarbenes) in these systems. The latter decomposition pathway is also proposed for ethyl and amyl cobalt derivatives.