Catalytic Synthesis of Organolithium and Organomagnesium Compounds and of Lithium and Magnesium Hydrides—Applications in Organic Synthesis and Hydrogen Storage

Abstract

AbstractA recent development in homogeneous catalysis is the discovery of catalysts that are active for the lithiation of 1‐alkenes to alkenyllithium compounds and lithium hydride as well as for the hydrogenation of lithium and magnesium under mild conditions. The catalytically prepared magnesium hydride is highly reactive and adds to 1‐alkenes to give diorganomagnesium compounds and can also be used in the preparation of, for example, silane and “active” magnesium. The use of metal hydrides in hydrogen storage is discussed: hydrogenation/dehydrogenation experiments show that the catalytically prepared magnesium hydride (which can be doped with a second metal) can be used as a high‐temperature hydrogen storage material.