Gas-phase formation of the Gomberg-Bachmann magnesium ketyl

Abstract

(Figure Presented) MgCl2•-, synthesized in the gas phase, reacts with ketones to produce the corresponding Gomberg-Bachmann magnesium ketyl radical anion, which further leads to a magnesium enolate through β scission. DFT calculations support the reactions observed and reveal that the singly occupied molecular orbital changes from metal-based in the reactant to ligand-based in the product (see picture). © 2008 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.