Catalysts (Dec 2019)
A Four Coordinated Iron(II)-Digermyl Complex as an Effective Precursor for the Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane
Abstract
A coordinatively unsaturated iron(II)-digermyl complex, Fe[Ge(SiMe3)3]2(THF)2 (1), was synthesized in one step by the reaction of FeBr2 with 2 equiv of KGe(SiMe3)3. Complex 1 shows catalytic activity comparable to that of its silicon analogue in reduction reactions. In addition, 1 acts as an effective precursor for the catalytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane. Catalytically active species can also be generated in situ by simple mixing of the easy-to-handle precursors FeBr2, Ge(SiMe3)4, KOtBu, and phenanthroline.
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