A novel and unprecedented formation of η(4)-(vinylketene)iron complexes from η(4)-(diene)iron complexes is described herein. Treatment of η(4)-(diene)iron complexes with a Lewis acid such as GaCl3 or AlCl3 in the presence of aromatic compounds under a CO atmosphere affords η(4)-(vinylketene)iron complexes via electrophilic aromatic substitution.

We have drawn a few interesting conclusions while studying reaction products of Ph₂Si(OH)₂ with Al(iBu)₃ and tetraisobutylalumoxane. In the first place, this is the production (at a Ph₂Si(OH)₂ and Al(iBu)₃ equimolar ratio) of an oligomer siloxyalumoxane structure with alternating four- and six-member rings. In addition, it shows isobutyl and phenyl group migration between aluminum and silicon d...

We report [Y{N(SiMe3)2}3] as a precatalyst for the dehydrocoupling of sterically demanding amines with β-diketiminate stabilised aluminium dihydrides. While simple fluorinated anilines readily undergo Al-H/N-H dehydrocoupling under thermal conditions, catalytic methods are required to achieve reasonable rates of reaction for ortho-substituted anilines or hindered aliphatic amines.

Addition of carboxylic acid dianions appears to be a potential alternative to the use of aluminium enolates for nucleophilic ring opening of epoxides. These conditions require the use of a sub-stoichiometric amount of amine (10% mol) for dianion generation and the previous activation of the epoxide with LiCl. Yields are good, with high regioselectivity, but the use of styrene oxide led, unexpec...