Distinct Reactivity of Trimethylytterbium toward AlMe3 and GaMe3: Synthesis of Donor‐Stabilized Dimethylytterbium

Abstract

AbstractMe3TACN (1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane)‐stabilized trimethylytterbium was obtained via a salt‐metathesis protocol employing [(Me3TACN)YbCl3] and methyllithium. Complex [(Me3TACN)YbMe3] seems not to engage in redox chemistry with potassium graphite and is thermally quite stable in the solid state. Treatment of trivalent [(Me3TACN)YbMe3] with 3 equiv. of AlMe3 afforded divalent tetramethylaluminate complex [(Me3TACN)Yb(AlMe4)2]. The reaction of [(Me3TACN)YbMe3] with GaMe3 in THF gave trivalent ion pair [(Me3TACN)YbMe2(thf)][GaMe4], which is susceptible to reduction with KC8. The thermally very labile divalent [(Me3TACN)YbMe(μ‐Me)]2 is the first discrete donor adduct of a divalent dimethyl rare‐earth‐metal complex.