Abstract
Reduction of Zn 2 (μ-η 2 -Me 2 Si(NDipp) 2 ) 2 with 4 equiv. of KC 8 resulted in a dramatic structural transformation into [(η 2 -Me 2 Si(NDipp) 2 )ZnZn(η 2 -Me 2 Si(NDipp) 2 )] 2- featuring a Zn-Zn bond instead of [Zn 2 (μ- η 2 -Me 2 Si(NDipp) 2 ) 2 ] 2- ; the mechanism of the observed structural transformations arising from the Zn-Zn bond formation involving the intermediate of [Zn 2 (μ-η 2 -Me 2 Si(NDipp) 2 ) 2 ] - was elucidated by elaborate computations. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.