Electron spin resonance studies of the reactions of aluminium atoms with some alkenes in a rotating cryostat

Abstract

Al atoms react with propenes and butenes in a rotating cryostat at 77 K to give a range of organoaluminium products including aluminium monoalkene complexes, π-allyl aluminium hydrides and aluminacyclopentanes, but no β-aluminoalkyls. In addition allyls are major paramagnetic products. The magnetic parameters of these species are reported, and possible reaction mechanisms are discussed. cis-But-2-ene is unique in that a cluster-alkene complex Al₃[cis-C₄H₈]_x appears to be the major paramagnetic product.