Regioselective reaction of functionally substituted mono-, di-, and triolefins with alkylmagnesium compounds, catalyzed by Cp₂ZrCl₂

Conclusions

• 1. In the presence of catalytic quantities of Cp₂ZrCl₂ Et₂Mg and EtMgBr react regio-selectively with α-olefins with different structures to form higher asymmetrical organomagnesium compounds.

• 2. Electron acceptor substituents at the allyl atom reduce noticeably the activity of the double bond in the reaction with the alkyl magnesium compounds; the nature of the allyl substituent has practically no influence on the regioselectivity of the process. Functional substituents removed from the vinyl group have little influence on the reactivity of the latter in the reaction with the alkyl magnesium compounds.

• 3. The presence of an acetylenic bond in the α-olefin molecule or of a conjugated double bond system inhibit this reaction.