Anionic Magnesium and Calcium Hydrides: Transforming CO into Unsaturated Disilyl Ethers

Abstract The synthesis, characterisation and reactivity of two isostructural anionic magnesium calcium complexes is reported. By X‐ray neutron diffraction techniques, the hydrides are shown to exist as dimers, held together by a range interactions between anions bridging potassium cations. Unlike vast proportion previously reported dimeric group 2 hydrides, which have that bridge centres, here be “terminal”, but stabilised with Both were found insert couple CO under mild reaction conditions give corresponding cis ‐ethenediolate complexes. These undergo salt elimination reactions silyl chlorides, allowing access small unsaturated disilyl ethers high percentage their mass originating from C 1 source CO.