Regioselective C-H activation of lanthanide-bound N-heterocyclic carbenes.
The reaction of Ln(L)N''2 (Ln = Nd, Ce; L = t-BuNCH2CH2[C{NCHCHNt-Bu}], N'' = N(SiMe3)2) with trimethylsilyl iodide regiospecifically functionalises the carbene backbone at the C4-carbene ring position to afford the silylated complex Ln(L')N''I; Ln(L')N''2 is isolated after attempted reduction (L' = t-BuNCH2CH2[C{NC(SiMe3)CHNt-Bu}]) which allows a comparison of the structurally characterised complexes Nd(L)N''2, [Nd(L')N''I]2, and Nd(L')N''2.
Arnold
Polly L
PL
School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK NG7 2RD. Polly.Arnold@Nottingham.ac.uk
Liddle
Stephen T
ST