Early View e202511269
Research Article

Cobalt-Catalyzed Stereodivergent Semihydrogenation of Alkynes: Synthesis of E- and Z-Alkenes

Xiang Ren

Xiang Ren

Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Peng Lu

Corresponding Author

Peng Lu

Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Chenggong Zheng

Chenggong Zheng

Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Prof. Yong Wang

Prof. Yong Wang

Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

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Prof. Zhan Lu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Zhan Lu

Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

State Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 25 June 2025

Graphical Abstract

Under the synergistic catalysis of an 8-OIQ cobalt catalyst and CH3CN, a series of E- and Z-alkenes with high stereoselectivity could be synthesized in the semihydrogenation of internal alkynes. Mechanistic studies showed that the acetonitrile plays an important role in controlling isomerization and inhabiting over-hydrogenation during the conversion process.

Abstract

Transition metal-catalyzed semihydrogenation of alkynes is one of the most efficient, sustainable, and environmental-friendly strategies for accessing stereoisomerically pure olefins. Herein, we report a tridentate nitrogen-containing ligand (8-OIQ) promoted cobalt-catalyzed stereodivergent semihydrogenation of internal alkynes; a series of Z- and E-alkenes could be synthesized with high stereoselectivity. Besides, this protocol exhibits excellent functional group tolerance and operates under mild reaction conditions (1 bar H2, room temperature). A preliminary mechanistic study revealed that acetonitrile plays an important role in suppressing over-reduction and controlling the stereoselectivity in this transformation.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

Research data are not shared.

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