Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of a Tetranuclear Amidinato Zinc Hydride Complex

The tetranuclear amidinato zinc hydride complex {C[C(Ni-Pr)2ZnH]4} (3) was synthesized by reaction of the Cl-substituted complex {C[C(Ni-Pr)2ZnCl]4} with CaH2. 3 was found to react with phenylacetylene and acetylene at ambient temperature with elimination of H2 and subsequent formation of C[C(Ni-Pr)2ZnCCPh]4 (4) and {C[C(Ni-Pr)2ZnCCH]4 (5), respectively. 3−5 have been characterized by multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.