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Updated: May 23, 2025

Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
Methane Beryllation Catalyzed by a Base Metal Complex
Josef T Boronski1, Agamemnon E Crumpton2, Job J C Struijs2
1Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, White City, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
Abstract:
The homogeneous catalytic functionalization of methane is extremely challenging due to the relative nonpolarity and high C-H bond strength of this hydrocarbon. Here, using catalytic quantities (10 mol %) of CpMn(CO)3 or Cp*Re(CO)3, the conversion of methane and benzene C-H bonds to C-Be and H-Be bonds by CpBeBeCp has been achieved under photochemical conditions. Possible intermediates in the beryllation reactions─trans-bis(beryllyl)-manganese and -rhenium complexes─were also isolated. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that the inherent properties of the beryllyl ligands─which are powerfully σ-donating and feature highly Lewis acidic beryllium centers─are decisive in enabling methane functionalization by these systems.
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