The First Structurally Authenticated σ‐Bonded Organosamarium(II) Derivative and Its Reaction with Benzophenone

The first SmIIC σ bonds to be verified by X-ray structure analysis are 2.787(5) and 2.845(5) Å in length. These distances were obtained for a samarium(II) complex in which two C(SiMe3)2(SiMe2 OMe) ligands are each bound to the samarium center through the carbanionic carbon center and the oxygen atom of the methoxy group (see structure depicted on the right). This compound reacts with benzophenone to give the corresponding samarium(III) ketal radical anion complex.