Decomposition of [2-Pyr(SiMe3)(2)C](2)SbCl into the stibaalkene [2-Pyr(SiMe3)(2)C-Sb=C(SiMe3)2-Pyr]: Solid, solution, and a initio study

P C Andrews, J E McGrady, P J Nichols

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The disubstituted antimony chloride complex [2-Pyr(SiMe3)(2)C](2)SbCl (Pyr = C5H4N), formed from the 2:1 reaction of [2-Pyr(SiMe3)(2)CLi(.)tmeda] with SbCl3, readily decomposes into the stibaalkene species [2-Pyr(SiMe3)(2)CSb=C(SiMe3)2-Pyr] via eta-elimination of Me3SiCl. The stibaalkene species is an intensely colored, highly air and moisture sensitive, deep red oil. In thf solution the elimination of Me3SiCl occurs at temperatures ca. -40 degreesC; however, orange crystals of [2-Pyr(SiMe3)(2)C](2)SbCl were obtained from an Et2O solution maintained at -25 degreesC and the structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra of the crystals of [2-Pyr(SiMe3)(2)C](2)SbCl have been obtained in d(8)-toluene at -30 degreesC, and its decomposition to the stibaalkene was followed by recording spectra as the sample was warmed to 30 degreesC. DFT ab initio calculations have been conducted to investigate the role of the pyridyl groups in Me3SiCl elimination as well as the structure and stability of the final stibaalkene. These indicate that the formation of strong Sb-N bonds effectively localizes much of the double-bond character in a C=C rather than Sb=C bond, increasing its overall stability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)446-453
Number of pages8
JournalOrganometallics
Volume23
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Feb 2004

Keywords

  • CARBON MULTIPLE BONDS
  • COMPLEXES
  • DENSITY
  • ARSAALKENES
  • DERIVATIVES
  • CHEMISTRY
  • ANTIMONY
  • EXCHANGE
  • BI

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