Reduction of carbon monoxide by a tetrakis(aryloxide)diniobium complex having four bridging hydrides

Abstract

The use of a sterically demanding aryloxide ligand allows us to isolate a tetrakis(aryloxide)diniobium complex bridged by four hydride ligands. This hydride aryloxide undergoes reduction of CO via hydrogenation and deoxygenation, resulting in formation of a methylidene species. Further carbonylation gives a vinylidene complex.