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Published on: March 20, 2017
Cooperativity in Transition Metal Tetrylene Complexes
Rosie J Somerville1, Jesús Campos1
1Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ) Departamento de Química Inorgánica and Centro de Innovación en Química Avanzada (ORFEO-CINQA) Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and University of Sevilla Avenida Américo Vespucio 49 41092 Sevilla Spain.
Abstract:
Cooperative reactivity between transition metals and ligands, or between two metals, has created significant opportunities for the development of new transformations that would be difficult to carry out with a single metal. Here we explore cooperativity between transition metals and divalent heavier group 14 elements (tetrylenes), a less-explored facet of the field of cooperativity. Tetrylenes combine their strong σ-donor properties with an empty p-orbital that can accept electron density. This ambiphilicity has allowed them to form metal tetrylene and metallotetrylene complexes that place a reactive site adjacent to the metal. We have selected examples to demonstrate what has been achieved so far regarding cooperative reactivity, as this already spans metal-, tetrylene- or multi-site-centred bond cleavage, cycloaddition, migration, metathesis, and insertion. We also highlight some challenges that need to be overcome for this cooperativity to make it to catalysis.
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