Reaction of [η1:η5-(Me2NCH2CH2)C2B9H10]TaMe3 with aryl isonitriles: tantallacarborane-mediated facile cleavage of C–N multiple bonds

Abstract

Reaction of [η¹:η⁵-(Me₂NCH₂CH₂)C₂B₉H₁₀]TaMe₃ with ArNC at room temperature gave the C–N bond cleavage products, and their type depends upon the aryl group and the amount of ArNC used. A reaction mechanism involving sequential methyl migratory insertion into the C–N multiple bond, followed by an isopropyl carbene insertion into the cage B–H bond, was proposed. All complexes were fully characterized including single-crystal X-ray analyses.