Activation of Heteroallenes CO xS2- x ( x = 0-2): Experimental and Theoretical Evidence of the Synthetic Versatility of a Bulky Guanidinato SmII Complex.

A joint experimental/theoretical (DFT) study of the activation of heteroallenes CO xS2- x ( x = 0-2) by [Sm(Giso)2] {Giso- = [(ArN)2CNCy2]-, Cy = cyclohexyl, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl} is reported. All heteroallenes are reduced in a different manner. Indeed, while activation of CS2 yields a bimetallic CS2 coupled product through C-S bond formation, CO2 forms an oxalate complex through C-C bond formation. This subsequently undergoes CO2 insertion into one of its Sm-N bonds. Finally, COS activation is predicted to yield a dithiocarbonate complex, through the formation of an intermediate sulfido complex [(Giso)2Sm(µ-S)Sm(Giso)2]. Therefore, [Sm(Giso)2] is a very versatile reagent, since it is a rare example of a complex that allows formation of several activation products involving valence isoelectronic substrates. This is rationalized by DFT calculations, and the latter emphasizes both the lack of kinetic stability of CS vs. CO and the high thermodynamic stability of the oxalate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]