Reactivity of a quasi-four-coordinate butylmagnesium cation

Abstract

We present the reactivity of the Mg-C and the β-CH bonds in the trigonal pyramidal [(pmdta)Mg(nBu)]+ exhibiting a weak Mg⋯F interaction with counter anion, [B(C6F5)4]−. Instantaneous β-hydride reactivity with benzophenone, reductive alkylation of phenyl benzoate, and straightforward synthesis of [(pmdta)MgH]+via metathesis with pinacolborane/phenylsilane are discussed.