Trajectory of Approach of a Zinc–Hydrogen Bond to Transition Metals

Abstract

AbstractThrough a dramatic advance in the coordination chemistry of the zinc–hydride bond, we describe the trajectory for the approach of this bond to transition metals. The dynamic reaction coordinate was interrogated through analysis of a series of solid state structures and is one in which the TM‐H‐Zn angle becomes increasingly acute as the TM–Zn distance decreases. Parallels may be drawn with the oxidative addition of boron–hydrogen and silicon–hydrogen bonds to transition metal centers.