Reversible Intramolecular Hydride Transfer between Tantalum and an Aromatic Ring:  An η⁵-Cyclohexadienyl Complex as a Masked Hydride

Abstract

The methyl triflate complex (2,6-Mes2C6H3N=)(2,6-Mes2C6H3NH)TaMe(OSO2CF3) reacts cleanly with H2 to give the eta5-cyclohexadienyl complex 3. Complex 3 therefore results from the insertion of an arene ring into an M-H bond, which has been proposed as the first step in catalytic arene hydrogenations. This insertion is reversible, such that 3 behaves as a "masked hydride" in its reaction chemistry.