title: Investigations on a novel silyl transfer reaction in heterodimetallic chemistry.
abstract: Heterodinuclear silyl complexes of the type [(OC)3(R3Si)[Fe(mu-PPh2)Pt](CO)(PPh3)], which contain a [Fe(mu-P)Pt] triangular core, were previously reported to undergo an unprecedented dyotropic-type rearrangement involving migration of the silyl group from iron to platinum with concomitant 1,2 migration of CO from Pt to Fe. In the resulting complexes of formula [(OC)4[Fe(mu-PPh2)Pt](SiR3)(PPh3)], the Si atom occupies a cis position at the planar Pt center with respect to the phosphido bridge. DFT calculations were employed to elucidate the mechanism of this intramolecular silyl migration reaction. When the Fe-Pt precursor complex is [(OC)3(R3Si)[Fe(mu-PPh2)Pt](PPh3)2], the reaction sequence involves (i) the substitution of PPh3 by CO at Pt, (ii) the concerted migration of CO and SiR3, and (iii) the cis-trans isomerization at Pt. The calculations support the exergonic character of the overall process. An explanation for the experimental observation of only one product isomer being formed is possible via frontier molecular orbital analysis. Consistent with the experimental findings, the transition states of the migration (a species with a triply bridged intermetallic bond) and isomerization steps were found to be energetically within reach at room temperature. Additional support for the suggested mechanism also comes from the fact that relative silyl migration activities could be rationalized by the means of quantum chemistry.
authors: Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination, Institut de Chimie (UMR 7177 CNRS), Université Louis Pasteur, F-67070 Strasbourg Cédex, France.
authors: Abdelatif
authors: A
authors: Messaoudi
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Deglmann
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Braunstein
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Hofmann