Selective release of dihydrogen upon deuteriation of polyhydrido complexes: studies on [WH3(OCMeO)(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2]
Abstract
The reaction of [WH3(OCMeO)(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2] with a large excess of anhydrous DX (X = Cl or Br) in THF selectively produces [WHD(O2CMe)(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)2]+ and H2; this selectivity is a consequence of the novel two-site character of the trihydride complex: the pendant acetate group is the site of deuteriation and the metal is the H2–evolving site.