Hydration of terminal alkynes catalyzed by a water-soluble salen-Co(III) complex

A water-soluble salen-Co(III) complex was studied as catalyst for hydration of terminal alkynes to methyl ketones in the presence of H2SO4 as a co-catalyst. The products were obtained with excellent yields using relatively low catalyst loadings and a simple protocol. Notably, the products were easily separated from the catalyst after reaction by extraction, and the catalyst could be recovered and reused with only a slight loss of activity.

Graphical AbstractA water-soluble sulfonato-Co(salen) complex was studied as a catalyst for hydration of terminal alkynes to give methyl ketones in high yields. The product can be easily separated from the catalyst by extraction using water and an organic solvent, and the catalyst can be recovered and reused.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide