Paramagnetic organometallics: preparation, structural, and redox chemistry of tantalum(II)η6-arene complexes

Abstract

The reduction of (η⁶-C₆R₆)Ta(OR′)₂Cl [(1) R = Et; (2) R = Me; OR′= 2,6-diisopropylphenoxide] with excess Na/Hg provides the first well characterised Ta^II organometallics, viz. the monomeric compounds (η⁶-C₆R₆)Ta(OR′)₂[(3) R = Et; (4) R = Me]; the X-ray structure of (η⁶-C₆Et₆)Ta (O-2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃)₂(3), reveals some unusual distortions in the co-ordinated arene ligand.