Decomplexation of Cyclic Alkyne-Cobalt Complexes with Disulfides and Diselenides

We have developed a decomplexation reaction of alkynecobalt complexes using disulfides or diselenides, enabling the synthesis of β-thio-α,β-unsaturated thioesters and β-seleno-α,βunsaturated selenoesters. Driven by the relief of ring strain, the reaction is broadly applicable to cyclic alkyne-cobalt complexes and a range of disulfides, affording the corresponding products in good yields. The resulting products can be further transformed into aryl ketones via cross-coupling reactions with arylboronic acids. This study expands the synthetic utility of alkyne-cobalt complexes.