Homoleptic organolanthanide compounds supported by the bis(dimethylsilyl)benzyl ligand

Abstract

A β-SiH functionalized benzyl anion [C(SiHMe2)2Ph]- is obtained by deprotonation of HC(SiHMe2)2Ph with KCH2Ph or by reaction of KOtBu and (Me2HSi)3CPh; LnI3(THF)n and three equivalents of this carbanion combine to provide homoleptic tris(alkyl)lanthanide compounds Ln{C(SiHMe2)2Ph}3 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) containing secondary metal-ligand interactions.