Reversible Insertion of a CC Bond into Magnesium(I) Dimers: Generation of Highly Active 1,2-Dimagnesioethane Compounds

The insertion of 1,1-diphenylethylene into the Mg–Mg bond of two magnesium­(I) dimers, [(ArNacnac)­Mg−]2 (Ar = C6H2Me3-2,4,6 (Mes); C6H3Et2-2,6 (Dep)), yielding 1,2-dimagnesio­ethane products, [{(ArNacnac)­Mg}2­(μ‑CH2CPh2)], is described. These reactions are readily reversible at room temperature and thus represent the first examples of room-temperature reversible redox processes for s-block metal complexes. The 1,2-dimagnesio­ethane products are highly activated magnesium alkyls and show unprecedented, uncatalyzed reactivity toward H2, CO, and ethylene. Computational studies have investigated the mechanisms of all presented reaction types.