# Metathetical Exchange, Synthesis, and Carbon Dioxide Addition of Higher Homologues of Group 9 Metal Carbynes

## TL;DR

Scientists developed a new method to create heavy carbynes of Group 9 metals and discovered a novel metathetical exchange reaction involving these compounds.

## Contribution

A one-pot synthesis for heavy homologues of Group 9 metal carbynes and a new metathetical exchange reaction are introduced.

## Key findings

- Previously unknown heavy carbynes of Group 9 metals were synthesized in a one-pot procedure.
- A new metathetical exchange reaction converts plumbylidynes to stannylidynes and germylidynes.
- Reactions with carbon dioxide produce redox products with coordinated carbon monoxide and carbonate.

## Abstract

A one‐pot synthesis for previously unknown heavy homologues of Group 9 metal carbynes [(Me3P)3Co≡GeAr*] (1), [(Me3P)3Rh≡GeAr*] (2), [(Me3P)3Ir≡GeAr*] (3), [(Me3P)3Ir≡SnAr*] (5), and [(Et3P)3Ir≡PbAr*] (7) is presented [Ar* = C6H3‐2,6‐(Trip)2, Trip = 2,4,6‐C6H2
iPr3]. During these preparations, the tetrylidynes [(Me3P)3Rh≡SnAr*] (4), and [(Me3P)3Rh≡PbAr*] (6), were also prepared in a one‐pot procedure. In a hitherto unknown metathetical exchange reaction, the transition metal plumbylidynes were converted into the respective stannylidynes in reaction with terphenyl stannylene chloride, and the germylidynes were formed from the corresponding stannylidynes in reaction with terphenyl germylene chloride. These metathesis reactions were tracked by 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy, which shows complete exchange of the tetrel [EAr]‐fragment and the formation of an intermediate in the rhodium plumbylidyne reaction with stannylene chloride (Ar = Ar*, Tbb). Reactions of the tetrylidynes (2–5) with carbon dioxide yield the products of a redox reaction [(Me3P)3(CO)M‐E(η
2‐O2CO‐κ
2
O)Ar*] [E = Ge, M = Rh (11); M = Ir (12); E = Sn, M = Rh (14), M = Ir (16)] with a carbon monoxide coordinated at the transition metal and a carbonate coordinated at the Group 14 element. For tin the intermediates formed by mono CO2 addition [(Me3P)3M(μ,η
2‐CO2‐κC:κO)SnAr*] [M = Rh (13), M = Ir (15)] have been isolated.

A one‐pot synthesis for previously unknown heavy carbynes of Group 9 metals is presented. Furthermore, in a hitherto unknown metathetical exchange reaction, the transition metal plumbylidynes were converted into the respective stannylidynes in reaction with terphenyl stannylene chloride, and the germylidynes were formed from the corresponding stannylidynes in reaction with terphenyl germylene chloride.