A Stable Homoleptic Divinyl Tetrelene Series

The synthesis of the new bulky vinyllithium reagent ((IPr)-I-Me=CH)Li, ((IPr)-I-Me=[(MeCNDipp)(2)C]; Dipp=2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)) is reported. This vinyllithium precursor was found to act as a general source of the anionic 2 sigma, 2 pi-electron donor ligand [(IPr)-I-Me=CH](-). Furthermore, a high-yielding route to the degradation-resistant Si-II precursor (IPr)-I-Me.SiBr2 is presented. The efficacy of ((IPr)-I-Me=CH)Li in synthesis was demonstrated by the generation of a complete inorganic divinyltetrelene series ((IPrCH)-I-Me)(2)E: (E=Si to Pb). ((IPrCH)-I-Me)(2)Si: represents the first two-coordinate acyclic silylene not bound by heteroatom donors, with dual electrophilic and nucleophilic character at the Si-II center noted. Cyclic voltammetry shows this electron-rich silylene to be a potent reducing agent, rivalling the reducing power of the 19-electron complex cobaltocene (Cp2Co).

Automated summary

The synthesis of a new bulky vinyllithium reagent and its application as an electron donor ligand in chemical reactions was studied. A method for preparing degradation-resistant silicon precursor was proposed. The efficacy of the reagent in synthesis was demonstrated by the generation of a complete inorganic divinyltetrelene series.