Tin-catalyzed hydrophosphination of alkenes.

Simple tin derivatives, Cp*2SnCl2 (1) and Ph2SnCl2 (2), catalyze the hydrophosphination of alkene substrates with diphenylphosphine. Competitive dehydrocoupling to give Ph4P2 was observed, but this side reaction can be mitigated when the catalysis is conducted under an H2 atmosphere. Efforts to prepare stable tin bis(phosphido) compounds commonly resulted in decomposition to Ph4P2.

Cobalt-catalyzed ammonia borane dehydrocoupling and transfer hydrogenation under aerobic conditions.

Two cobalt compounds, Cp*Co(CO)I2 (1) and CpCo(CO)I2 (2) (Cp* = η(5)-C5Me5, Cp = η(5)-C5H5), catalyze the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane under either anaerobic or aerobic conditions and are also effective hydrogenation catalysts for alkenes and alkynes using ammonia borane as a hydrogen source, also in the presence of air.