Metal allyl complexes with bulky ligands: stabilization of homoleptic thorium compounds, [(SiMe3)nC3H(5-n)]4Th (n = 1, 2).
Unlike the parent (C3H5)4Th that decomposes at 0 degrees C, homoleptic tetra(allyl)thorium complexes [(SiMe3)nC3H5-n]4Th (n = 1, 2) have been prepared from ThBr4(thf)4 and K[(SiMe3)nC3H5-n] that are stable up to 90 degrees C (n = 1) or 124 degrees C (n = 2). The molecules, which are fluxional on the NMR time scale, contain the first structurally authenticated Th-allyl bonds. The trimethylsilyl groups cause relatively little perturbation in the core metal-allyl geometry but markedly increase the kinetic stability of the compounds.
Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA.
Christin N
CN
Carlson
Timothy P
TP
Hanusa
William W
WW
Brennessel