Abstract The reactions of several diynes MeC≡ C (CH 2) n C≡ CMe, n= 2-4, with (η-C 5 H 5) Co (CO) 2 and Fe (CO) 5 have been compared. A p-benzoquinone complex,(η-C 5 H 5) Co [(C 8 H 10) 2 (CO) 2], and three isomers of the cyclopentadienone complex,(η-C 5 H 5) Co [(C 8 H 10) 2 CO], are formed in the reaction of (η-C 5 H 5) Co (CO) 2 with octa-2, 6- diyne. In each complex, the ligand is formed by intermolecular cyclization of two diynes ...