Successful extrapolation of an f-element synthetic method to the pseudo light lanthanoid, aluminium

A redox transmetallation/ligand exchange reaction between Al metal, Hg(C6F5)2 and 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole (tBu2pzH) in tetrahydrofuran (thf) yields [Al(tBu2pz)3(thf)] in which the six coordinate aluminium atom has two η2- and one η1-tBu2pz ligands. By contrast an analogous reaction in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (dme) gives the organoaluminium complex [Al2(tBu2pz)3(C6F5)2(OCH2CH2OCH3)] in which each aluminium atom has an η2-pyrazolate and a C6F5 ligand and the Al atoms are bridged by an η1:η1-tBu2pz ligand and a 2-methoxyethoxide ligand. In addition, [Al(tBu2pz)3] was isolated from the reaction mixture in a different form from that previously reprinted.

Graphical abstractAluminium complexes with 3,5-t-butylpyrazole are synthesised from aluminium metal using the Redox transmetallation/ligand exchange reaction. The results contain insights into the chemistry of these reactions and the solvent coordination possibilities of the products. Crystallographic insights into the structures are also presented.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide