The synthesis of the new bulky vinyllithium reagent (Me IPr=CH)Li, (Me IPr=[(MeCNDipp)2 C]; Dipp=2,6-iPr2 C6 H3 ) is reported. This vinyllithium precursor was found to act as a general source of the anionic 2σ, 2π-electron donor ligand [Me IPr=CH]- . Furthermore, a high-yielding route to the degradation-resistant SiII precursor Me IPr⋅SiBr2 is presented. The efficacy of (Me IPr=CH)Li in synthesis was demonstrated by the generation of a complete inorganic divinyltetrelene series (Me IPrCH)2 E: (E=Si to Pb). (Me IPrCH)2 Si: represents the first two-coordinate acyclic silylene not bound by heteroatom donors, with dual electrophilic and nucleophilic character at the SiII center noted. Cyclic voltammetry shows this electron-rich silylene to be a potent reducing agent, rivalling the reducing power of the 19-electron complex cobaltocene (Cp2 Co).
Keywords: ligand design; main group; silylene; tetrelene; vinyl.
© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.