In recent years, there have been a number of significant advancements in the synthesis of unusual alkaline earth metal complexes that activate relatively inert chemical bonds. The majority of these discoveries has relied on bulky anionic ligand systems such as the carbatrane or β-diketiminate ligand motifs. With the goal of developing bond activation strategies that can be applied to group 2 catalysis, our laboratory has begun systematic studies involving neutral ligands and the lightest alkaline earth metals, beryllium and magnesium. While modulating the coordination of ligands such as phosphines and carbenes is common in transition metal catalysis, the chemistry of the <i>s</i>-block elements with neutral donor ligands is severely underexplored. This presentation will cover our progress in controlling the coordination chemistry of group 2 oxides, dihalides, diaryls, and Grignards. In addition, our work in the development of unusual bond activation chemistry will be discussed.

Unusual coordination chemistry and bond activation involving light alkaline earth metal carbene complexes

2019 Spring National Meeting

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