Selective Isomerization of Terminal Alkenes to (Z)‑2-Alkenes Catalyzed by an Air-Stable Molybdenum(0) Complex

Positional and stereochemical selectivity in the isomerization of terminal alkenes to internal alkenes is observed using the cis-Mo­(CO)4(PPh3)2 precatalyst. A p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) cocatalyst is essential for catalyst activity. Various functionalized terminal alkenes have been converted to the corresponding 2-alkenes, generally favoring the Z isomer with selectivity as high as 8:1 Z:E at high conversion. Interrogation of the catalyst initiation mechanism by 31P NMR reveals that cis-Mo­(CO)4(PPh3)2 reacts with TsOH at elevated temperatures to yield a phosphine-ligated Mo hydride (MoH) species. Catalysis may proceed via 2,1-insertion of a terminal alkene into a MoH group and stereoselective β-hydride elimination to yield the (Z)-2-alkene.