Selective σ-Bond Metathesis in Alkyl-Aryl and Alkyl-Benzyl Yttrium Complexes. New Aryl- and Benzyl-Hydrido Yttrium Derivatives Supported by Amidopyridinate Ligands

Yttrium dialkyl complexes coordinated by 6-aryl-substituted amidopyridinate ligands undergo selective intramolecular sp(2) or sp(3) C-H bond activation. Upon treatment with PhSiH3 of the resulting Y-C(alkyl, aryl) or Y-C(alkyl,benzyl) systems, a a-bond metathesis reaction takes place selectively at the Y-C(alkyl) bond, generating rare dimeric aryl-hydrido or benzyl-hydrido yttrium complexes, respectively.