Synthesis and Reaction of [(Tp/Pr2)LnH2]3 (Ln = Y, Lu) with CO: Trinuclear Cluster-Bound Propenolate en Route to Selective Formation of Propene

The use of the Tp(iPr2) ligand led to the straightforward and high-yield synthesis of rare examples of trinuclear monoligand lanthanide dihydrides, [(Tp(2)(iPr))LnH(2)](3) (Ln = Y, Lu). The Y complex was found to mediate the hydrogenation and coupling of carbon monoxide with exclusive formation of propene via the intermediacy of a cluster-bound propenolate ligand.