Synthesis of Molecular Phenylcalcium Derivatives: Application to the Formation of Biaryls

Hydrocarbon-soluble beta-diketiminato phenylcalcium derivatives, which display various modes of Ca-mu(2)-Ph-Ca bridging, are accessible from reactions of Ph2Hg and [(BDI)CaH](2). Although the resultant compounds are inert toward the C-H bonds of benzene, they yield selective and uncatalyzed biaryl formation when reacted with readily available aryl bromides.

Automated summary

The synthesis and catalytic properties of hydrocarbon-soluble beta-diketiminato phenylcalcium derivatives are discussed in this article. The compounds display different modes of Ca-mu(2)-Ph-Ca bridging and can selectively and uncatalyzedly form biaryls when reacted with aryl bromides.