Synthesis and Reactivity of a Donor-Free (Silyl)(silylene)molybdenum Complex: Novel Insertion Reaction of an Isocyanide into a Si−C Bond

Photolysis of Cp*Mo(CO)3Me (1; Cp* = η-C5Me5) in the presence of the hydrodisilane HSiMe2SiMeMes2 (Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) resulted in the formation of the donor-free (silyl)(silylene)molybdenum complex Cp*Mo(CO)2(SiMes2)(SiMe3) (2). The reaction of complex 2 with tBuCH2CMe2NC at 60 °C caused insertion of the isocyanide into the Si−C bond of the silylene ligand to give an intramolecular donor-stabilized silyl silylene complex, Cp*Mo(CO)2(Si(Mes)C(Mes)NCMe2CH2tBu)(SiMe3) (3).