Molecular hydrides of divalent ytterbium supported by a macrocyclic ligand: synthesis, structure and olefin hydrofunctionalization catalysis.

Bis(triphenylsilyl) and dibenzyl ytterbium(ii) complexes supported by the macrocyclic polyamine ligand Me4TACD (1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) reacted with H2 to give the cationic ytterbium hydrides [(Me4TACD)2Yb2(μ2-H)(2+n)](2-n)+ (n = 0, 1). The hydrides catalyzed the H2/D2 isotope exchange as well as hydrogenation and hydrosilylation of 1-hexene.