Reactions of alcohols with WCl2 (PMe3) 4 (1) or WH2Cl2 (PMe3) 4 (2) yield W (O) Cl2 (PMe3) 3 (3), PMe3, and hydrocarbons. Cyclopropanemethanol is deoxygenated to give 1- butene and a trace of trans-2-butene as the organic products; benzyl alcohol yields toluene and bibenzyl. These products indicate the intermediacy of organic radicals. Benzyl radicals in the reaction of 1 with PhCH2OH can be trapped by added 2 or by 9, 10- ...
