Reactivity of the imido group in [CpOs(NCH3)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)][SO3CF3]

The imido Ligand in [(eta(5)-C5H5)Os(NCH3)(CH(2)SiMe(3))2][SO3CF3] reacts with basic and nucleophilic molecules. Triphenylphosphine, pyridine, and water act as bases and deprotonate the methylimido ligand forming the first osmium(IV) methyleneamido complex, (eta(5)-C5H5)Os(N=CH2)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2). The reaction is reversible, and treatment of (eta(5)-C5H5)Os(N=CH2)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2). with HBF4 produces [(eta(5)-C5H5)Os(NCH3)(CH(2)SiMe(3))2][BF4]. phenylphosphine also abstracts the imido ligand to form MeN-PPh(3). The imido complex reacts with ethylene to produce an olefin complex, [(eta(5)-C5H5)Os(NHCH2)(CH2CH2)(2)][SO3-CF3]. Under pressures of ethylene, products resulting from imide transfer to the olefin are obtained.