A Dimeric NHC–Silicon Monotelluride: Synthesis, Isomerization, and Reactivity

The reaction of the NHC–disilicon(0) complex [(I Ar )Si=Si(I Ar )] ( 1 , I Ar =:C{N(Ar)C(H)} 2 , Ar=2,6‐ i Pr 2 C 6 H 3 ) with two equiv of elemental Te in toluene at room temperature for three days afforded a mixture of the first dimeric NHC–silicon monotelluride [(I Ar )Si=Te] 2 ( 2 ) and its isomeric complex [(I Ar )Si(μ‐Te)Si(I Ar )=Te] ( 3 ). When the same reaction was performed for ten days, only 3 was isolated from the reaction mixture. Compound 1 reacted with four equiv of elemental Te in toluene for four weeks, which proceeded through the formation of 2 , 3 and the NHC–disilicon tritelluride complex [{(I Ar )Si(=Te)} 2 Te] ( 5‐Te ), to form the dimeric NHC–silicon ditelluride [(I Ar )Si(=Te)(μ‐Te)] 2 ( 4 ). The reactions are in line with theoretical mechanistic studies for the formation of 4 . Compound 3 reacted with one equiv of elemental sulfur in toluene to form the first NHC–disilicon sulfur ditelluride complex [{(I Ar )Si(=Te)} 2 S] ( 5‐S ).