Sulphur dioxide insertion reactions of σ-bonded alkylcobalt(III) compounds

Sulphur dioxide inserts readily in the alkyl–cobalt bond of a range of primary and secondary alkylcobalt(III) compounds when they are dissolved in liquid sulphur dioxide. The principal products are the corresponding alkanesulphonylcobalt(III) compounds, but evidence is presented for the formation in a few cases of other products in which a second molecule of sulphur dioxide has been incorporated.