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A Crystalline In(II) Hydride
Olympia Mouriki1, Graham J Tizzard2, Simon J Coles2
1Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, Shepherds Bush, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|January 30, 2026
Summary
Researchers synthesized the first stable indium(II) hydride, a key advance for heavier main-group element chemistry. This breakthrough opens new possibilities for catalysis and small-molecule activation using novel hydride compounds.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Main-Group Chemistry
- Organometallic Chemistry
Background:
- Low oxidation state hydrides of heavier main-group elements are typically unstable.
- These compounds are valuable for small-molecule activation and catalysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize the first stable, low oxidation state indium hydride.
- To investigate the stability and reactivity of this novel indium hydride species.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of indium hydride using bis(N-heterocyclic carbene)borate ligands.
- Characterization via NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Computational calculations to understand stability and bonding.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of a stable, crystalline indium(II) hydride with a covalent In-In bond.
- Comprehensive characterization confirmed the compound's structure and stability.
- Preliminary studies showed the In(II) hydride acts as a nucleophile.
Conclusions:
- This work reports the first stable low oxidation state indium hydride.
- The compound's stability is attributed to specific structural and electronic features.
- This discovery expands the scope of p-block element hydrides for chemical transformations.
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