Eugene A. Zarate

The synthesis and X-ray structural characterization of two isomers of [Pt(Et3P)2SiH(C6H11)]2; dimers with unusually short cross-ring silicon–silicon distances

The first non-planar, platinum–silicon four-membered ring [(Et3P)2Pt(SiCyH)]2(Cy = cyclohexyl) contains an unusually short cross-ring Si–Si separation of 2.65 A.

Unsymmetrically substituted hafnacyclopentadiene compounds: synthesis and structure

Abstract Hafnocene dichloride was reduced with amalgamated magnesium in the presence of asymmetric alkynes to give high yields of the corresponding bis(cyclopentadienyl)hafnacyclopentadiene compounds. An X-ray crystal structure has been performed on bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-dimethylhafnacyclopentadiene (η5-C5H5)2 stqb Hf[C(SiMe 3 )C(Me)C(Me)C (SiMe3)] crystallized in the triclinic space group in a unit cell of dimensions a 9.067(3), b 10.421(3), c 12.296(4) A, α 100.13(2), β 87.52(2), γ 105.07(2)° and V 1170.1(6) A3. The final agreement indices for 4719 reflections having F02 ≥ O are R(F) = 0.047.

Silane Dehydrocoupling Reactions Catalyzed by the Late Transition Metals

Synthesis of oligomeric silanes via homogeneous late transition metal catalyzed dehydrocoupling of silanes is discussed. We have found that primary silanes are converted to oligomeric silanes by platinum catalysts. We have isolated platinum-silicon four-membered rings (4MR) with short Si−Si cross ring contacts from these catalytic mixtures and find that the 4MR are catalysts for the oligomerization. The platinum-silicon 4MR have been fully characterized. The possible involvement of metal disilene complexes in the oligomerization process is discussed.