Reactions of vinyl ethers with cobalamins and cobaloximes.

Sir: We recently reported 1 that cobaloximes and cobalamins reacted with vinyl ethers, in the presence of alcohols, to give aceta Is containing cobalt-carbon cr-bonds. On the basis of these, and earlier 2 experiments, we suggested that the reactions proceeded via the intermediary of a Co(lII)-olefin 7r-complex. Schrauzer, et al.,3 then reported that they were unable to confirm our results and concluded that the reactions we reported did not in fact take place. It was further concluded 3 that the biochemical implications our reactions suggested were also invalid. We wish to report, for a second time, that both cobaloximes and cobaJamins react as their Co(JIJ) complexes with vinyl ethers, in the presence of alcohols and bases, to give the corresponding cobalt(III) alkyl complexes (Scheme I). The experimental details,4 for