Protonation and methylation of η4-2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-benzoquinone(η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)cobalt

The preparation of the η⁴-4-2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-benzoquinonecomplex CO(C₅Me₅)(C₁₀H₁₂O₂)] (I) is reported. Complex I undergoesreversible protonation to yield the 2-6-η-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-2,3,5,6-tetramethylcyclohexadienyl complex Co(C₅Me₅)(C₁₀H₁₃O₂)BF₄ (II) and diprotonation to yield the η⁶-6-1,4-dihydroxy-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene complex Co(C₅Me₅)(C₁₀H₁₄O₂)] (BF₄)₂ (III). Methylation of complex I with MeI/AgPF₆ gives the 26-η-4-methoxy-1-oxo-2,3,5,6-tetramethylcyclohexadienyl complex Co(C₅Me₅)(C₁₁H₁₅O₂])PF₆ (IV). In trifluoroacetic acid solution complex IV is protonated to form the η⁶-1-hydroxy-4-methoxy-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene cation Co(C₅Me₅)-(C₁₁H₁₆O₂)]²⁺