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.