Oxo-bridged metal carbene complexes. Synthesis, structure and reactivities of {[Os(Por)(CPh2)]2O} (Por = porphyrinato dianion)

Abstract

Dinuclear μ-oxo osmium porphyrins containing terminal OsCPh₂ bonds with a linear COs–O–OsC moiety were prepared, which are reactive toward pyridine to form [Os(Por)(CPh₂)(py)] and are active catalysts for inter- and intra-molecular cyclopropanation of alkenes and for carbene insertion into saturated C–H bonds.