DIORGANOMAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS FROM MAGNESIUM, HYDROGEN, AND 1-ALKENES AND THEIR APPLICATION IN SYNTHESIS

1-Alkenes are converted in high yields to the corresponding primary diorganomagnesium compounds by transition metal-catalyzed hydromagnesation reaction using catalytically prepared suspended (MgH2*) or dissolved magnesium hydride (MgH2*). The most active hydromagnesation catalysts have been found to be combinations of zirconium tetrahalides with MgH2* or MgH2. The reaction is highly regio- and chemoselective. The diorganomagnesium compounds prepared in situ from magnesium,hydrogen, and 1-alkenes can be applied to the synthesis of organic and organometallic compounds just as Grignard compounds (Scheme 3, reactions 3 - 11). Dioctylmagnesium undergoes the growth reaction with ethene in the presence of quinuclidine and is oxidized by molecular oxygen in high yield to 1-octanol.