Dearomatization and functionalization of terpyridine by lutetium(III) alkyl complexes

Lutetium(III)-bis(alkyl) and -tris(alkyl) fragments supported by either 2,2′:6′,2′ ′-terpyridine or 4,4′,4′ ′-tri-tert-butyl-2,2′:6′,2′ ′-terpyridine are not stable and undergo facile 1,3-alkyl migration under ambient conditions resulting in dearomatization and ortho (2′ or 6′) functionalization of the terpyridyl ligand, clearly demonstrating that the terpyridyl ligand framework is not as innocent as previously thought. Copyright © 2006 American Chemical Society.