Dihydrogen and Ethylene Activation by a Sterically Distorted Distibene

Herein, we report the synthesis of a sterically distorted distibene ([4]₂ ) and its transition-metal-like reactivity towards two fundamental feedstock chemicals: H₂ and ethylene. Although [4]₂ exhibits an unusually long Sb=Sb distance and noticeable backbone distortion in the solid state, NMR data suggest that [4]₂ remains predominantly as a dimer in solution, even at high temperatures. However, it was proposed that the elusive reactivity of [4]₂ toward H₂ and ethylene results from reversible dissociation of [4]₂ into the transient stibinidene ([4]), which could be observed by NMR spectroscopic techniques.