Regioselective C–H activation of lanthanide-bound N-heterocyclic carbenes

Abstract

The reaction of Ln(L)N″₂ (Ln = Nd, Ce; L = t-BuNCH₂CH₂[C{NCHCHNt-Bu}], N″ = N(SiMe₃)₂) with trimethylsilyl iodide regiospecifically functionalises the carbene backbone at the C4-carbene ring position to afford the silylated complex Ln(L′)N″I; Ln(L′)N″₂ is isolated after attempted reduction (L′ = t-BuNCH₂CH₂[C{NC(SiMe₃)CHNt-Bu}]) which allows a comparison of the structurally characterised complexes Nd(L)N″₂, [Nd(L′)N″I]₂, and Nd(L′)N″₂.