Matrix Infrared Spectra of Insertion and Metallacyclopropane Complexes [CH3CH2–MH and (CH2)2–MH2] Prepared in Reactions of Laser-Ablated Group 3 Metal Atoms with Ethane

CH3CH2–MH and (CH2)2–MH2 were identified in the matrix IR spectra from reactions of laser-ablated group 3 metal atoms with ethane, and they were characterized via theoretical investigations. The observed products are the most stable in the proposed reaction path. Because of the small number of valence electrons, the group 3 metal high oxidation-state complexes are less stable. The C–C insertion product [(CH3)2M], which was predicted to be more stable than the observed ones, was not observed probably because of the high energy barrier and a likely slower rate for insertion into one C–C bond than one of six C–H bonds. The C–C bond of the metallacyclopropanes is the shortest among the early transition-metal analogues, and its stretching frequencies are the highest, revealing the weakest interaction between the metal dihydride and ethylidene groups. The undetected ethylidene is not agostic, parallel to the previously examined methylidene.