Formation of an η2-formaldehyde compound from methanol and its hydrogenation giving methanol

Abstract

Addition of methanol to W(PMe₃)₄(η²-CH₂PMe₂)H gives the η²-formaldehyde derivative W(PMe₃)₄(η²-CH₂O)H₂ which reacts sequentially with dihydrogen forming initially the methoxyhydrido compound W(PMe₃)₄(OMe)H₃ and then W(PMe₃)₄H₄ accompanied by the production of MeOH.