Double Deprotonation of CH3CN by an Iron-Aluminium Complex** |
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Authors: | Benedek Stadler Dr. Nikolaus Gorgas Dr. Andrew J. P. White Prof. Dr. Mark R. Crimmin |
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Affiliation: | Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London White City, London, W12 0BZ UK |
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Abstract: | Herein we present the first double deprotonation of acetonitrile (CH3CN) using two equivalents of a bimetallic iron-aluminium complex. The products of this reaction contain an exceeding simple yet rare [CHCN]2− dianion moiety that bridges two metal fragments. DFT calculations suggest that the bonding to the metal centres occurs through heavily polarised covalent interactions. Mechanistic studies reveal the intermediacy of a monomeric [CH2CN]− complex, which has been characterised in situ. Our findings provide an important example in which a bimetallic metal complex achieves a new type of reactivity not previously encountered with monometallic counterparts.[1, 2] The isolation of a [CHCN]2− dianion through simple deprotonation of CH3CN also offers the possibility of establishing a broader chemistry of this motif. |
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Keywords: | Aluminium C−H Activation Dianions Iron Nitriles |
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