Conversions of Osmabenzyne and Isoosmabenzene

Authors: 
Qianyi Zhao, Jun Zhu, Zi-Ao Huang, Xiao-Yu Cao*, Haiping Xia*
Journal: 
Chem. Eur. J.
Year: 
2012
Volume: 
18
FirstPage-LastPage: 
11597–11603
TOC: 
Abstract: 

We report herein the first example of the conversion of metallabenzyne II and isometallabenzene III. The osmium hydride vinylidene complex 1 reacts with HCCCH(OEt)2 to give osmabenzyne 3 via isoosmabenzene 2. Compound 3 exhibits high thermal stability in air. Nonetheless, nucleophilic attack at 3 provides isoosmabenzenes 4 a and 4 b, or opens the ring to produce 5 a and 5 b. We propose mechanisms to disclose the intrinsic connection between the six-membered metallacycles, and carry out DFT calculations to rationalize the regioselectivity of the nucleophilic addition reactions.

Doi: 
10.1002/chem.201201558