Decomposition mechanism of a cobalt-coordinated phosphite–olefin ligand under irradiation

We herein report on the different coordination behavior of phosphite–olefin ligands containing either a terminal olefin moiety or a related compound containing an internal olefin moiety to a CpCo(I)-center. While the former coordinates to the metal center via P atom and olefin moiety upon irradiation, photolysis of the latter led to the subsequent formation of the phosphorus-free [CpCo(η4-1,3-butadiene)] complex (6). A mechanistic rational of the decomposition reaction based on an Arbuzov-like rearrangement is suggested.