Synthesis and characterization of the novel Al^I compound Al(C₅Me₄Ph): Comparison of the coordination chemistry of Al(C₅Me₅) and Al(C₅Me₄Ph) at d ¹⁰ metal centers

The synthesis of the novel Al^I compound AlCp*^Ph (Cp*^Ph = C₅Me₄Ph) is presented. This compound is characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis as well as its reactivity towards the α,ω-diolefin dvds (dvds = tetramethyl-divinyl-disiloxane). Also the reactivity of AlCp* towards dvds is investigated and the product [(dvds)(μ₂-AlCp*)₂] characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis as well as X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, two new coordination compounds of AlCp* to d¹⁰ metal centers are synthesized and characterized. [Pd(AlCp*)₄] is obtained by reaction of [(tmeda)PdCl₂] with AlCp*, and [Ni(AlCp*) ₄] is synthesized from [Ni(cod)₂] and AlCp* via ligand substitution. Both complexes are spectroscopically and crystallographically characterized. Finally, preliminary results on the coordination of AlCp*^Ph to Ni⁰ and Pd⁰ centers will be discussed.