Update: Improving atom economy of dehydrogenative decarbonylation

“Selective Metal-Catalyzed Transfer of H₂ and CO from Polyols to Alkenes” Verendel, J. J.; Nordlund, M.; Andersson, P. G. ChemSusChem, 2013, 6, 426-429. DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201200843

In a recent post I commented on the byproducts of dehydrogenative decarbonylation, namely H₂ and CO.

I wondered whether this gas mixture, syngas, could be used in a subsequent reaction. This would improve the atom efficiency of the reaction and potentially also improve the safety (of both the syngas-producing and syngas-using reactions). Both are goals of green chemistry and I especially appreciate avoiding rolling cylinders of toxic and/or flammable gases around the lab.