Structural Characterization and Unique Catalytic Performance of Silyl-Group-Substituted Geminal Dichromiomethane Complexes Stabilized with a Diamine Ligand

Stabilization by a silyl group on the methylene carbon and a diamine ligand led to the isolation of gem-dichromiomethane species. X-ray crystallography confirmed the identity of the structure of this rare example of reactive gem-dimetalloalkane species. The isolated gem-dichromiomethane complex acted as a storable silylmethylidene carbene equivalent, with reactivity that could be changed dramatically upon addition of a Lewis acid (ZnCl2) and a...