“Metastable” Lu(GaMe₄)₃ Reacts Like Masked [LuMe₃]: Synthesis of an Unsolvated Lanthanide Dimethyl Complex

Abstract

Homoleptic tetramethylgallate Lu(GaMe4)3 reacts selectively with superbulky (TptBu,Me)H according to a methane elimination reaction, affording the quantitative formation of monomeric base-free low-coordinate (TptBu,Me)LuMe2. Weak interaction of the strongly basic lanthanide methyl groups with the comparatively weak Lewis acid trimethylgallium in Lu(GaMe4)3 is indicated by their separation into [LuMe3]n and GaMe3 even at −35 °C.