Dynamic NMR spectra and thermolysis of (RCp)2Zr(CH2OCH3)2: Evidence for the insertion of a methylene group from a metallaoxirane into a Zr-C ?-bond

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(88)83074-2

The reaction of (RCp)2Zr(OCH3)Cl with two molar equivalents of ClMgCH2OCH3 yields (RCp)2Zr(CH2OCH3)2 (6).Thermolysis of 6 at 70 deg C gives ethylene and (RCp)2Zr(OCH3)2.The low temperature dynamic NMR spectra of 6 indicate the presence of a η²-CH2OCH3 ligand.It is suggested that the thermally-induced insertion of the metallaoxirane methylene unit into the remaining Zr-CH2OCH3 ?-bond initiates the reaction sequence leading to CH2=CH2 and dimethoxyzirconocene.