Reactivity of (C₅Me₅)Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) with Pyridine Ring Systems:  Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an η²-(N,C)-Pyridyl (Mono)pentamethylcyclopentadienyl Lutetium(III) Complex

Reaction of (C5Me5)Lu(CH2SiMe3)2(THF) with pyridine results in the activation of an ortho C−H bond to form the corresponding η2-(N,C)-pyridyl complex with elimination of SiMe4. This is a rare example of pyridine metalation at a lanthanide metal center in the absence of a bent metallocene framework. The η2-(N,C)-pyridyl coordination mode was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The pyridyl complex adopts a distorted square-pyramid geometry with the C5Me5 unit residing in the apical position and the pyridyl ligand and remaining ligands residing in the basal plane. Isotopic labeling studies suggest that C−H bond activation is consistent with a σ-bond metathesis mechanism.