Isolable zero-valent Ditin(0) and Diplumbum(0) complexes

Area of Science:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Main Group Chemistry
• Organometallic Chemistry

Background:

• Diatomic zero-valent complexes are exceptionally rare in main group chemistry.
• Previous examples were stabilized exclusively by carbene or silylene ligands.
• This highlights a gap in understanding the stabilization of low-valent, multi-atom main group species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel diatomic zero-valent complexes of tin (Sn) and lead (Pb).
• To investigate the stabilization of these diatomic species using bulky ligand frameworks.
• To expand the scope of known zero-valent main group element compounds.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis involving trilithium salt N{CH₂CH₂NLiPⁱPr₂}₃ with SnCl₂ and subsequent reduction with KC₈.
• Isolation and characterization of tin-based complexes, including a Sn₃ chain and a Sn₄ chain with a diatomic Sn(0)-Sn(0) unit.
• Reaction of tin complexes with PbI₂ and KC₈ to form lead-containing complexes with a diatomic Pb(0)-Pb(0) unit.

Main Results:

• Successful isolation of diatomic Sn(0)-Sn(0) species within a Sn₄ chain complex.
• Isolation of diatomic Pb(0)-Pb(0) species in a novel heavy main group complex.
• Computational studies confirmed the presence and electronic structure of the diatomic E(0)-E(0) units.

Conclusions:

• This work presents the first examples of diatomic zero-valent main group complexes of tin and lead stabilized by [N{CH₂CH₂NPⁱPr₂}₃Sn] fragments.
• The findings demonstrate a new strategy for stabilizing low-valent, multi-atom main group elements.
• This research significantly advances the field of main group chemistry and low-valent element stabilization.