Al–H σ-bond coordination: expanded ring carbene adducts of AlH3 as neutral bi- and tri-functional donor ligands

Abstract

Thermally robust expanded ring carbene adducts of AlH₃ have been synthesized with a view to probing their ligating abilities via Al–H σ-bond coordination. While κ² binding to the 14-electron [Mo(CO)₄] fragment is readily demonstrated, interaction with [Mo(CO)₃] results in μ:κ¹,κ¹ and μ:κ²,κ² bridging linkages rather than terminal κ³ binding.