Electron paramagnetic resonance study of the reaction of group 11 metal atoms with higher alkenes in a rotating cryostat

Abstract

Cu, Ag and Au atoms have been reacted with a range of higher acyclic and cyclic alkenes and unconjugated dienes in inert hydrocarbon matrices at 77 K in a rotating cryostat and the paramagnetic products examined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In general the products are similar to those that are formed from ethene and propene, but there are some subtle and important differences. Thus Cu atoms give mainly mono- and di-ligand complexes, Ag atoms give monoligand complexes, cluster–alkene complexes and microcrystallites, but mononuclear diligand complexes are not formed, and Au atoms give mono- and di-ligand complexes. There is tentative evidence for the formation of a triligand complex from Cu and cis-cyclooctene. In most cases allyls are formed by hydrogen-atom abstraction from the alkenes, perhaps by adventitious metal oxide.