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–)2Al]− (IP = iminopyridine, M = Na, Bu4N) yielded [Na(THF)(DME)][(IP–)(IP2–)Al(OH)] (3) or [(IP–)2Al(OH)] (4), via O-atom transfer and subsequent C–H activation or proton abstraction, respectively.