Stabilization of a Discrete Lanthanide(II) Hydrido Complex by a Bulky Hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate Ligand

Abstract

Divalent and solvent-free: the ytterbium hydrido complex 1 was obtained by the hydrogenolysis of [(Tp(tBu,Me))Yb(CH(2)SiMe(3))(thf)]. The steric demand of the bulky hydrotris(3-tert-butyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate ligand, Tp(tBu,Me), is sufficient to stabilize the dimer, yet facile room-temperature reactions with amines, alkynes, diynes, and CO indicate a rich chemistry of 1.