REACTION OF PENTACARBONYL(METHYLPYRROLIDINOCARBENE)CHROMIUM(0) WITH ALDEHYDES - A NEW ENTRY TO PENTACARBONYL(ALKENYLPYRROLIDINOCARBENE)CHROMIUM(0)

The conjugate base of pentacarbonyl(methylpyrrolidinocarbene)chromium(0) (1) easily reacts with aldehydes, yielding aldol products (2). The latter are converted into the corresponding pentacarbonyl(alkenylpyrrolidinocarbene) complexes with high E selection under very mild conditions.