Hydroformylation of Alkylidyne(nonacarbonyl)tricobalt Clusters: Model Reaction for the Direct Conversion of Synthesis Gas into C 1 ‐ and C 2 ‐Oxygenated Compounds

The occurrence of the hydroxymethylidyne cluster (1) as intermediate in the carbonylco‐balt‐catalyzed hydrogenation of CO explains The formation of methanol and of C 2 ‐alconols. That (I) actually is an intermediate in this reaction is demonstrated by the results of the reaction of the alkylidyne complexes (2) – (4) with CO/H 2 at high temperatures and pressures in the presence of Co 2 (CO) 8 .