Synthesis and Reactivity of Discrete Europium(II) Hydride Complexes.

The bulky β‐diketiminate ligand frameworks [BDIDCHP]− and [BDIDipp/Ar]− (BDI=[HC{C(Me)2N‐Dipp/Ar}2]− (Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp); Ar=2,6‐dicyclohexylphyenyl (DCHP) or 2,4,6‐tricyclohexylphyenyl (TCHP)) have been developed for the kinetic stabilisation of the first europium (II) hydride complexes, [(BDIDCHP)Eu(μ‐H)]2, [(BDIDipp/DCHP)Eu(μ‐H)]2 and [(BDIDipp/TCHP)Eu(μ‐H)]2, respectively. These complexes represent the first step beyond the current lanthanide(II) hydrides that are all based on ytterbium. Tuning the steric profile of β‐diketiminate ligands from a symmetrical to unsymmetrical disposition, enhanced solubility and stability in the solution–state. This provides the first opportunity to study the structure and bonding of these novel Eu(II) hydride complexes crystallographically, spectroscopically and computationally, with their preliminary reactivity investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]