Reductive Dimerization of CO by a Na/Mg(I) Diamide

Abstract

Sodium reduction of [{SiN^Dipp}Mg] [{SiN^Dipp} = {CH₂SiMe₂N(Dipp)}₂; Dipp = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃] provides the Mg(I) species, [{SiN^Dipp}MgNa]₂, in which the long Mg-Mg bond (>3.2 Å) is augmented by persistent Na-aryl interactions. Computational assessment indicates that this molecule is best considered to comprise a contiguous tetrametallic core, a viewpoint borne out by its reaction with CO, which results in ethynediolate formation mediated by the dissimilar metal centers.