PROTONATION OF METAL-METAL BONDS IN HETEROBIMETALLIC COMPOUNDS LINKED BY A HETERODIFUNCTIONAL LIGAND
Addition of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid to the heterobimetallic compounds (I) and (II) results in protonation of the metal-metal bond to give cationic compounds with bridging hydrides (III and IV).Deprotonation of III and IV with triethylamine regenerates I and II in high yield.