Structural transformations in dinuclear zinc complexes involving Zn-Zn bonds

Abstract

Reduction of Zn2(μ-η2-Me2Si(NDipp) 2)2 with 4 equiv. of KC8 resulted in a dramatic structural transformation into [(η2-Me2Si(NDipp) 2)ZnZn(η2-Me2Si(NDipp)2)] 2- featuring a Zn-Zn bond instead of [Zn2(μ- η2-Me2Si(NDipp)2)2] 2-; the mechanism of the observed structural transformations arising from the Zn-Zn bond formation involving the intermediate of [Zn 2(μ-η2-Me2Si(NDipp)2) 2]- was elucidated by elaborate computations. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.