An indium(I) tetramer bound by anionic N-heterocyclic olefins: ambiphilic reactivity, transmetallation and a rare indium-imide.

Abstract

An organometallic tetrahedron-shaped indium(I) tetramer [(MeIPrCH)In]4 (MeIPrCH = [(MeCNDipp)2CCH]-; Dipp = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) supported by anionic N-heterocyclic olefin (aNHO) ligands is reported. The monomeric unit of this species exhibits both Lewis acidic and basic character at indium, while the steric profile of the aNHO ligand enables isolation of a rare monomeric imide, RInNR'.