Synthesis and reaction of [(Tp(iPr2))LnH2]3 (Ln = Y, Lu) with CO: trinuclear cluster-bound propenolate en route to selective formation of propene.

The use of the Tp(iPr(2)) ligand led to the straightforward and high-yield synthesis of rare examples of trinuclear monoligand lanthanide dihydrides, [(Tp(iPr(2)))LnH(2)](3) (Ln = Y, Lu). The Y complex was found to mediate the hydrogenation and coupling of carbon monoxide with exclusive formation of propene via the intermediacy of a cluster-bound propenolate ligand.