Bismuth Pyridine Dipyrrolide Complexes: a Transient Bi(II) Species Which Ring Opens Cyclic Ethers.

A family of group 15 MIII pyridine dipyrrolide complexes has been prepared and fully characterized; the reduction of these complexes was investigated with traditional strong metal reductants, which led either to over-reduction in the case of Mg and Zn or to ligand redistribution and "ate" complex formation when KC8 was used. However, by utilizing organosilanes as soluble reductants, the ring opening and two electron reduction of thf solvent was observed with concomitant formation of Bi-C and Si-O bonds; this is an example of a main group complex that is capable of ring opening a cyclic ether in the absence of additional metal reducing agents. The proposed BiII intermediate in this mechanism could be trapped using the stable organic radical TEMPO.