C-H activation of ethane by group 4 metal atoms: observation and characterization of the MH-CH2CH3, MH2-(CH2)2, and MH3-CH=CH2 complexes

Group 4 metal atoms excited in the laser ablation process activate ethane to form the C-H insertion product, the metallacyclopropane dihydride, and vinyl metal trihydride complexes as major products. These three new metal hydrides are characterized by their strong M-H stretching absorptions and other weaker modes as predicted by density functional theory vibrational frequency calculations.