Countercations Direct One- or Two-Electron Oxidation of an Al(III) Complex and Al(III)-Oxo Intermediates Activate C-H Bonds

Hydrogen abstraction by aluminum(III)-oxo intermediates via reaction pathways reminiscent of late transition metal chemistry has been observed. Oxidation of M+ [(IP2-)(2)Al](-) (IP = iminopyridine, M = Na, Bu4N) yielded [Na(THF)(DME)][(IP-)(IP2-)Al(OH)] (3) or [(IP-)(2) Al(OH)] (4), via O-atom transfer and subsequent C-H activation or proton abstraction, respectively.