Isolable Three‐coordinate Base‐Stabilized Alumylene: A Precursor of Persistent Acceptor‐Free Monomeric Aluminum Oxide

Abstract

An isolable monomeric alumylene stabilized by two donating ligands (phosphine and NHC) has been synthesized. Experimental and theoretical analysis confirms that the NHC ligand in the Al(I)‐complex is labile and reversibly dissociates from the AlI center above ‐20 °C. Of particular interest, despite being thermodynamically stabilized by the two ligands, alumylene complex exhibits a high reactivity with a considerably higher nucleophilicity compared to the mono‐ligated complex. It is interesting to note that the Al(I)‐complex reacts immediately with N2O at ‐90 °C, allowing the synthesis of bisligated aluminum oxide, which is stable up to ‐70 °C.