Structure and small molecule activation reactivity of a metallasilsesquioxane of divalent ytterbium

Abstract

The first metallasilsesquioxane of a divalent lanthanide, [Yb{Cy₇Si₇O₁₁(OSiMe₃)}(THF)]₂, 1, was synthesized and structurally characterized. The Cy₇Si₇O₁₁(OSiMe₃)²⁻ ligands in 1 bind two Yb(II) ions in a bridging mode. The dinuclear complex effects the two-electron reduction of azobenzene yielding the Yb(III) complex [{Yb(Cy₇Si₇O₁₁(OSiMe₃))(THF)₂}₂(PhNNPh)], 2, and the CO₂ reduction to CO and carbonate.