PYRIDINE-FUNCTIONALIZED METAL ALKYLS .2. SYNTHESIS, CRYSTAL-STRUCTURES AND ELECTRONIC-PROPERTIES OF FIRST-ROW TRANSITION-METAL 2-PYRIDINO(BISTRIMETHYLSILYL)METHYLS AND 2-PYRIDINO(TRIMETHYLSILYL)METHYLS

The new chromium(II), manganese(II), iron(II) and cobalt(II) alkyls de rived from the anions of 2-bis(trimethylsilyl)methylpyridine (Hbtsmp) and 2-trimethyl-silylmethylpyridine (Htsmp) are described. X-ray cryst al structures show that [M(btsmp)(2)] (M = Cr, Co) have square-planar geometry, but that [Fe(btsmp)(2)] has a distorted tetrahedral structur e. Magnetochemical studies show [Mn(btsmp)(2)] exhibits a (2)E-(6)A sp in state equilibrium. Solid-state effects are discussed in the interpr etation of differences between solid and solution state magnetochemica l data of the Cr and Co compounds of btsmp. The ESR spectrum of the la tter is also analysed. Reactions of CO and Bu(t)NC with the Cr and Co compounds are described. Evidence for the formation of a zirconium(III ) species from 2-methylpyridine is assessed.