Convenient preparation of ytterbium(III) chalcogenolate complexes by insertion of ytterbium into chalcogen-chalcogen bonds. Application in the ring-opening of epoxides

Convenient conditions are reported for the preparation of ytterbium(III) chalcogenolate complexes by insertion of ytterbium metal into the chalcogen-chalcogen bond of disulfides, diselenides, and ditellurides. The resulting complexes have been found to transfer arylsulfanyl, -selenanyl, and -telluranyl groups to epoxides in a facile ring-opening reaction. The ytterbium(III) chalcogenolate complexes appear to perform a dual role in both activating the epoxide, due to their Lewis acidic nature, and supplying a nucleophile to the coordinated substrate. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.