The first tris(n-butyl) transition metal complex. Synthesis and structures of the fifteen electron chromium(III) alkyls [ButSi(CH2PMe2)3]CrMe3 and [ButSi(CH2PMe2)3]CrBun3

Abstract

Reaction of the phosphine adduct [Bu^tSi(CH₂PMe₂)₃]CrCl₃ with alkyl-lithium reagents gives the first octahedral chromium(III) trialkyls [Bu^tSi(CH₂PMe₂)₃]CrR₃(R = Me, Buⁿ); both compounds have been crystallographically characterized and the n-butyl compound is found to be remarkably resistant to β-elimination.