The first non-pincer-type mononuclear scandium alkylidene complexes were synthesized and structurally characterized. These complexes exhibited short Sc-C bond lengths and even one of the shortest reported to date (2.1134(18) Å). The multiple character of the Sc-C bond was highlighted by a DFT calculation. This was confirmed by experimental reactivity study where the complex underwent [2+1] cycloaddition with elemental selenium and [2+2] cycloaddition with imine. DFT calculation also revealed a strong nucleophilic behavior of the alkylidene complex that was experimentally demonstrated by the C-H bond activation of phenylacetylene.
Keywords: alkylidene; cycloaddition; density functional calculations; multiple bonds; scandium.
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