Molybdenum alkylidyne complexes with a trisilanolate podand ligand framework ("canopy catalysts") are the arguably most selective catalysts for alkyne metathesis known to date. Among them, complex 1 a endowed with a fence of lateral methyl substituents on the silicon linkers is the most reactive, although fairly high loadings are required in certain applications. It is now shown that this catalyst decomposes readily via a bimolecular pathway that engages the Mo�CR entities in a stoichiometric triple-bond metathesis event to furnish RC�CR and the corresponding dinuclear complex, 8, with a Mo�Mo core. In addition to the regular analytical techniques, 95 Mo NMR was used to confirm this unusual outcome. This rapid degradation mechanism is largely avoided by increasing the size of the peripheral substituents on silicon, without unduly compromising the activity of the resulting complexes. When chemically challenged, however, canopy catalysts can open the apparently somewhat strained tripodal ligand cages; this reorganization leads to the formation of cyclo-tetrameric arrays composed of four metal alkylidyne units linked together via one silanol arm of the ligand backbone. The analogous tungsten alkylidyne complex 6, endowed with a tripodal tris-alkoxide (rather than siloxide) ligand framework, is even more susceptible to such a controlled and reversible cyclo-oligomerization. The structures of the resulting giant macrocyclic ensembles were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
The gold(I)‐catalyzed reaction of acetylene gas with alkenes leads to (Z,Z)‐1,4‐disubstituted 1,3‐butadienes and biscyclopropanes depending on the donor ligand on gold(I). Acetylene was generated in situ from calcium carbide and water in a user‐friendly procedure. Reaction of acetylene with 1,5‐dienes gives rise stereoselectively to tricyclo[5.1.0.02,4]octanes. This novel double cyclopropanation has been applied to the one step total synthesis of the natural product waitziacuminone from acetylene and geranyl acetone.
Ray
et al
. (Reports, 29 July 2011, p. 637) assume that clozapine-
N
4-oxide (CNO) represents a “biologically inert synthetic ligand” that selectively activates the M4 muscarinic receptor-based DREADD (designer receptor exclusively activated by a designer drug). In contrast, due to the redox cycling of CNO with clozapine and to their cell membrane permeability, CNO is biologically active and its conversion products are capable of undermining DREADD effects.
The gold(I)‐catalyzed reaction of acetylene gas with alkenes leads to (Z,Z)‐1,4‐disubstituted 1,3‐butadienes and biscyclopropanes depending on the donor ligand on gold(I). Acetylene was generated in situ from calcium carbide and water in a user‐friendly procedure. Reaction of acetylene with 1,5‐dienes gives rise stereoselectively to tricyclo[5.1.0.02,4]octanes. This novel double cyclopropanation has been applied to the one step total synthesis of the natural product waitziacuminone from acetylene and geranyl acetone.
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