Sterically Enhanced, Selective C(CO)−C(α) Bond Cleavage of a Ketones by Rhodium Porphyrin Methyl

Selective carbon(CO)−carbon(α) bond activation of ketones was achieved by rhodium(III) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-4-toylporphyrinato methyl (Rh(ttp)Me (1)) to yield the corresponding rhodium porphyrin acyls at temperatures as low as 50 °C. More hindered isopropyl ketones were much more reactive than ethyl or methyl ketones. Rh(ttp)OH (3a) was proposed to be the intermediate to cleave the C(CO)−C(α) bond.