Magnesium compounds: Classification and analysis of crystallographic and structural data

Modified Magnesium Alkyls for Ziegler–Natta Catalysts

Magnesium alkyls such as butyl octyl magnesium and butyl ethyl magnesium are used as precursors for highly active and water-free magnesium chloride support materials for Ziegler–Natta catalysts. These alkyls show a high viscosity in hydrocarbon solvents which negatively affect their industrial application. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported the hypothesis that magnesium alkyls can form oligomeric chain structures responsible for the high viscosity. Heterocumulenes such as isocyanates, isothiocyanates and carbodiimides were studied as additives reducing the viscosity, supported by DFT calculations. The modified alkyls have further been tested in catalyst synthesis and in the polymerization of ethylene. The polymerization results showed high activities and similar polymer properties compared with a catalyst prepared without modified magnesium alkyl.

Sterically shielded primary anilides of the alkaline-earth metals of the type (thf)nAe(NH-Ar*)2 (Ae = Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; Ar* = bulky aryl)

Metalation of 2,4,6-triphenylphenylamine (H₂N-C₆H₂-2,4,6-Ph₃, 1a) and 4-methyl-2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)aniline (2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)-p-toluidine, H₂N-C₆H₂-4-Me-2,6-(CHPh₂)₂, 2a) with dibutylmagnesium and Ae[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ with a stoichiometric 1 : 2 ratio in THF at room temperature yields the corresponding primary anilides [(thf)_nAe{N(H)-C₆H₂-2,4,6-Ph₃}₂] (Ae/n = Mg/2 (1b), Ca/2 (1c), Sr/3 (1d), and Ba/3 (1e)) and [(thf)_nAe{N(H)-C₆H₂-4-Me-2,6-(CHPh₂)₂}₂] (Ae/n = Mg/2 (2b), Ca/3 (2c) and Sr/2 (2d)), respectively. The 1 : 1 reaction of Mg(n/sBu)₂ and MgPh₂ with 2a leads to the formation of heteroleptic [(thf)₂Mg(R){N(H)-C₆H₂-4-Me-2,6-(CHPh₂)₂}] (R = n/sBu (2bBu), Ph (2bPh)). At 50 °C, the strontium complex 2d liberates one equivalent of 2avia intramolecular deprotonation of the triarylmethyl functionality yielding dinuclear [(thf)₂Sr{N(H)-C₆H₂-4-Me-2-(CPh₂)-6-(CHPh₂)₂}]₂ (2d'). The barium compound is significantly more reactive and regardless of applied stoichiometry the isotypic barium congener [(thf)₂Ba{N(H)-C₆H₂-4-Me-2-(CPh₂)-6-(CHPh₂)₂}]₂ (2e') forms. The molecular structures of 1c, 2d, 2d', and 2e' are stabilized by metal-phenyl π-interactions.

Synthesis of Mg Alkoxide Nanowires from Mg Alkoxide Nanoparticles upon Ligand Exchange

We report on a new synthesis pathway for Mg n-propoxide nanowires (NWs) from Mg ethoxide nanoparticles using a simple alkoxy ligand exchange reaction followed by condensation polymerization in n-propanol. In order to uncover the morphology-structure correlation in the metal alkoxide family, we employed a powerful range of state-of-the-art characterization techniques. The morphology transformation from nanoparticles to nanowires was demonstrated by time-lapse SEM micrographs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (such as ¹H NMR and solid-state ¹³C cross-polarization (CP)-MAS NMR) illustrated the replacement of ethyl by n-propyl and metal alkoxide condensation polymerization. We identified chemical formulas of the products also using NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure simulation of Mg ethoxide particles and Mg n-propoxide NWs provided insights on how the ligand exchange and the associated increase in the fraction of OH groups greatly enhanced Mg alkoxide bonding and enabled a higher degree of coordination polymerization to facilitate the formation and growth of the Mg n-propoxide NWs. The discovered synthesis method could be extended for the fabrication of other metal alkoxide (nano) structures with various morphologies.

Structure-Solubility Relationship of 1,4-Dioxane Complexes of Di(hydrocarbyl)magnesium

Systematic variation of the 1,4‐dioxane (dx) concentration during the precipitation of sparingly soluble [MgBr₂(dx)₂] from ethereal Grignard solutions of RMgBr has allowed the structural investigation of crystallized [R₂Mg(dx)_n] (n=1, 1.5, 2, and 3), which form during this dioxane method, depending on the bulkiness of R. The numbering of the complexes explored in this study is based on the number n of dioxane molecules per magnesium atom, followed by the substituent R; an apostrophe denotes coordination polymers. The following derivatives were studied by X‐ray crystal‐structure determination and NMR spectroscopy: n=1: [Me₂Mg(μ‐dx)]_∞ (1′‐Me) and [nPr₂Mg(μ‐dx)]_∞ (1′‐nPr); n=1.5: [{iPr₂Mg(dx)}₂(μ‐dx)] (1.5‐iPr), [{oTol₂Mg(dx)}₂(μ‐dx)] (1.5‐oTol), and [(Me₃Si‐C≡C)₂Mg(dx)_1.5]_∞ (1.5′‐C₂SiMe₃); n=2: [tBu₂Mg(dx)₂] (2‐tBu) and [oTol₂Mg(dx)₂] (2‐oTol); n=3: [Ph₂Mg(dx)₃] (3‐Ph). In the structure types 1′, 1.5, and 2, the magnesium atom exhibits the coordination number 4, whereas pentacoordinate metal atoms are observed in types 3 and 1.5′. The structure type 2′ is realized for [(Ph‐C≡C)₂Mg(dx)₂]_∞ (2′‐C₂Ph), [MgCl₂(dx)₂]_∞ (2′‐Cl), and [MgBr₂(dx)₂]_∞ (2′‐Br) with hexacoordinate metal atoms. The solubility of the dioxane adducts in common organic solvents strongly depends on the degree of aggregation with the solubility decreasing from molecular to strand to layer structures.

Reactivity of the carbodiphosphorane, (Ph3P)2C, towards main group metal alkyl compounds: coordination and cyclometalation

The carbodiphosphorane, (Ph3P)2C, reacts with Me3Al and Me3Ga to afford the adducts, [(Ph3P)2C]AlMe3 and [(Ph3P)2C]GaMe3, which have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. (Ph3P)2C also reacts with Me2Zn and Me2Cd to generate an adduct but the formation is reversible on the NMR time scale. At elevated temperatures, however, elimination of methane and cyclometalation occurs to afford [κ2-Ph3PC{PPh2(C6H4)}]ZnMe and [κ2-Ph3PC{PPh2(C6H4)}]CdMe. Analogous cyclometalated products, [κ2-Ph3P{CPPh2(C6H4)}]ZnN(SiMe3)2 and [κ2-Ph3P{CPPh2(C6H4)}]CdN(SiMe3)2, are also obtained upon reaction of (Ph3P)2C with Zn[N(SiMe3)2]2 and Cd[N(SiMe3)2]2. The magnesium compounds, Me2Mg and {Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2}2, likewise react with (Ph3P)2C to afford cyclometalated derivatives, namely [κ2-Ph3PC{PPh2(C6H4)}]MgN(SiMe3)2 and {[κ2-Ph3PC{PPh2(C6H4)}]MgMe}2. While this reactivity is similar to the zinc system, the magnesium methyl complex is a dimer with bridging methyl groups, whereas the zinc complex is a monomer. The greater tendency of the methyl groups to bridge magnesium centers rather than zinc centers is supported by density functional theory calculations.

Synthesis, structure and reactivity study of magnesium amidinato complexes derived from carbodiimides and N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-butadiene ligands

We report an amidinato ligand-supported series of magnesium complexes obtained from the insertion of a magnesium-carbon bond into a carbon-nitrogen double bond of different carbodiimides and α-diimine ligands. The magnesium complexes [Mg(CH2Ph){CyN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)NCy}]2 (), [Mg(CH2Ph){(i)PrN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)N(i)Pr}]2 () and the homoleptic [Mg{(t)BuN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)N(t)Bu}2] () (Cy = cyclohexyl, (i)Pr = isopropyl, (t)Bu = tert-butyl) were prepared by the reaction of dibenzyl magnesium [Mg(CH2Ph)2(Et2O)2] with the respective carbodiimides either in 1 : 1 or 1 : 2 molar ratio in toluene. The analogous reaction of [Mg(CH2Ph)2(Et2O)2] with the N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene (Dipp2DAD) ligand afforded the corresponding homoleptic magnesium complex [Mg{DippN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)CH2NDipp}2] () (Dipp = 2,6 diisopropylphenyl) in good yield. The solid-state structures of magnesium complexes were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It was observed that in each case, a magnesium-carbon bond was inserted into the carbon-nitrogen double bond of either carbodiimides or Dipp2DAD resulting in a monoanionic amido-imino ligand. In a further reaction between and N-aryliminopyrrolyl ligand 2-(2,6-(i)Pr2C6H3N[double bond, length as m-dash]CH)C4H3NH (ImpDipp-H) in 1 : 2 molar ratio, a new magnesium complex [Mg(ImpDipp)2{CyN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)NHCy}] (), with one amidinato and two aryliminopyrrolyl ligands in the coordination sphere, was obtained in good yield. In contrast, the homoleptic magnesium complex reacted with one equivalent of N-aryliminopyrrolyl ligand (ImpDipp-H) to produce another mixed ligated magnesium complex [Mg{DippN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)CH2NDipp}(ImpDipp)] (), with a benzylated DAD ligand and aryliminopyrrolyl ligands in the coordination sphere. Further reaction of complex with benzyl alcohol (PhCH2OH) afforded the third mixed ligated magnesium complex [Mg{DippN[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH2Ph)CH2NDipp}(OCH2Ph)2] () in very good yield. The magnesium complexes were characterised using standard analytical/spectroscopic techniques and their solid-state structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

1,3-Bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)triazenides of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and strontium

1,3-Bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)triazenide anions act as bidentate ligands toward s-block metals; in the calcium derivative π-stacking of the aromatic rings leads to additional stabilization of the complex.

Solid-state natural abundance 25Mg NMR studies of Na2MgEDTA x 4 H2O--a possible new reference compound for 25Mg NMR spectroscopy

Natural abundance solid-state (25)Mg NMR measurements were made of the disodium salt of magnesium ethylenediaminetetraacetate tetrahydrate (Na(2)MgEDTA x 4 H(2)O). Both magic angle spinning (MAS) and static experiments were employed to determine the quadrupole coupling constant (C(q)) and the asymmetry parameter (eta(q)) of the electric field gradient (EFG) tensor associated with (25)Mg in this compound, giving the values C(q) = 1.675(5) MHz and eta(q) = 0.15(1). The isotropic chemical shift was determined to be delta(iso) = 0.25(10) ppm (relative to 11 M MgCl(2) aqueous solution) and a small chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) contribution (approximately -13 ppm) was detected, one of the first CSA reports in (25)Mg NMR. This compound exhibited remarkably good (25)Mg NMR sensitivity, due to its fast spin-lattice relaxation and modest quadrupole coupling, which allowed its use as a secondary shift reference and as a test sample for the implementation and optimisation of signal-enhancement methods in (25)Mg NMR spectroscopy, such as double frequency sweeps (DFS) and the use of adiabatic hyperbolic secant (HS) and WURST pulses.

Syntheses and Structures of Alkaline Earth Metal Bis(diphenylamides)

Various preparative procedures are employed in order to synthesize alkaline earth metal bis(diphenylamides) such as (i) metalation of HNPh2 with the alkaline earth metal M, (ii) metalation of HNPh2 with MPh2, (iii) metathesis reaction of MI2 with KNPh2, (iv) metalation of HNPh2 with PhMI in THF, and (v) metathesis reaction of PhMI with KNPh2 followed by a dismutation reaction yielding MPh2 and M(NPh2)2. The magnesium compounds [(diox)MgPh2]infinity (1) and (thf)2Mg(NPh2)2 (2) show tetracoordinate metal atoms, whereas in (dme)2Ca(NPh2)2 (3), (thf)4Sr(NPh2)2 (4), and (thf)4Ba(NPh2)2 (5) the metals are 6-fold coordinated. Additional agostic interactions between an ipso-carbon of one of the phenyl groups of the amide ligand and the alkaline earth metal atom lead to unsymmetric coordination of the NPh2 anions with two strongly different M-N-C angles in 3-5.

Assembly of Triangular Trimetallic Complexes by Triamidophosphine Ligands: Spin-Frustrated Mn2+ Plaquettes and Diamagnetic Mg2+ Analogues with a Combined Through-Space, Through-Bond Pathway for 31P-31P Spin−Spin Coupling

The reactions of 2 equiv of the ligand precursor P(CH2NHPh)3 or P[CH2NH-3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]3 with 3 equiv of Mn[N(SiMe3)2]2 provide high-yielding routes to the triangular trinuclear Mn(II) complexes [P(CH2NPh)3]2Mn3(THF)3.1.5THF and [P(CH2N-3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)3]2Mn3(THF)3. The solid-state structures of these paramagnetic complexes have approximate C3 symmetry. The magnetic moments from 300 to 1.8 K could be fit as a magnetic Jahn-Teller distorted isosceles triangle. These complexes exhibit spin frustration and possess an S = 1/2 ground state, as revealed by a plot of magnetization versus field at 1.8 K; at fields above 3.8 T, the occupation of an excited state with S = 3/2 becomes significant. The diamagnetic magnesium analogues were prepared by the reaction of the ligand precursor P(CH2NHPh)3, P[CH2NH-3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]3, or P(CH2NH-3,5-Me2C6H3)3 with nBu2Mg. The solid-state structures of [P(CH2NPh)3]2Mg3(THF)3.1.5THF and [P(CH2N-3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)3]2Mg3(THF)3 were determined. Solution 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that the solid-state structures are maintained in solution. The aryl group of the terminal amido donor exhibits slow rotation on the NMR time scale, and this was found to be an electronic effect. Solution 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy revealed an unexpected 15 Hz coupling between phosphorus nuclei in these complexes. Calculations on a model complex using density functional theory demonstrates that this coupling occurs via a combined through-space, through-bond pathway.

Soluble Molecular Compounds with the Mg−O−Al Structural Motif: A Model Approach for the Fixation of Organometallics on a MgO Surface

We report a facile route to the molecular compounds with the Mg-O-Al structural motif. The reaction of Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2 (1) with a stoichiometric amount of LAlOH(Me) (2) [L = CH{(CMe)(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)}2] in THF/n-hexane at 0 degrees C results in the formation of the heterobimetallic compound (Me3Si)2NMg(THF)2-O-Al(Me)L (3) in high yield. The similar reaction of 1 equiv of Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2 and 2 equiv of LAlOH(Me) results in the formation of trimetallic compound L(Me)Al-O-Mg(THF)2-O-Al(Me)L (4). Structural analyses of 3 and 4 have been carried out, revealing the presence of the Mg-O-Al motif. A tentative assignment of the Mg-O-Al vibrations has been made and was supported by calculations.

Recent developments in the field of organic heterobimetallic compounds of the alkaline-earth metals

Heterobimetallic compounds of the alkaline-earth metals show a wide structural variety with strongly differing reactivity patterns. The combination of magnesium and alkali metal amides yields cyclic molecules with an extreme high reactivity which often are considered as "inverse crowns" with the metal atoms as coordination sites for Lewis bases. In other metallates of the alkaline-earth metals an activation of alkyl groups succeeds. In alkaline-earth metal zincates an inverse coordination of the type M(2)[(mu-R)(2)ZnR](2) is observed and the alkyl groups are in bridging positions between zinc and the s-block metals thus forming a very reactive M-C-Zn three-center-two-electron bond. Furthermore, the metals of the carbon group form alkaline-earth metal-silicon, -germanium and -tin bonds or, in the presence of very strong Lewis bases, even solvent-separated ion pairs. For electronegative substituents at tin an inverse coordination mode such as M[(mu-R)(2)SnR](2) is observed.

Ligand Exchange Reaction Between an Alkylzinc Primary Amide and a Dialkylmagnesium Compound: Crystal Structures of [(thf)MeMg-μ-N(H)SiiPr3]2 and (tmeda)Mg[N(H)SiiPr3]2

The reaction of alkylzinc triisopropylsilylamide with dialkylmagnesium leads to a ligand exchange. Besides the starting materials, heteroleptic alkylmagnesium triisopropylsilylamide and homoleptic magnesium bis(triisopropylsilylamide) are detected by NMR spectroscopy. After the addition of 1,2-bis(dimethylamino)ethane (TMEDA) to the reaction mixture, (tmeda)Mg[N(H)SiiPr3]2 (1) precipitates as colorless cuboids (C24H60MgN4Si2, a = 2269.6(2), b = 1029.58(5), c = 1593.2(1) pm, beta = 120.826(8) degrees , monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4). The amide nitrogen atoms are coordinated planarily with strongly widened Mg-N-Si bond angles of 139.2(1) degrees . The metalation of triisopropylsilylamine with dimethylmagnesium in THF yields quantitatively heteroleptic [(thf)MeMg-N(H)SiiPr3]2 (2) which crystallizes as colorless needles (C28H66Mg2N2O2Si2, a = 1982.4(2), b = 2034.1(1), c = 907.22(6) pm, beta = 95.021(9), monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z = 4). Because of the bridging position of the triisopropylsilylamide anion, the tetracoordinate nitrogen atoms show rather long Mg-N bond lengths of 210.7 pm (average value).

Gas-Phase Synthesis and Reactivity of the Organomagnesates [CH3MgL2]- (L = Cl and O2CCH3): From Ligand Effects to Catalysis

Multistage mass spectrometry experiments combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to examine the gas-phase synthesis and ion-molecule reactions of the organomagnesates [CH(3)MgL(2)](-) (L = Cl and O(2)CCH(3)). Neutral species containing an acidic proton (HX) react with the [CH(3)MgL(2)](-) ions via addition with concomitant elimination of methane to form [XMgL(2)](-) ions. Kinetic measurements combined with DFT calculations revealed reduced reactivity of [CH(3)Mg(O(2)CCH(3))(2)](-) toward water, caused by the bidentate binding mode of acetate, which induces overcrowding of the Mg coordination sphere. The [CH(3)MgL(2)](-) ions reacted with (i) aldehydes with enolizable protons via enolization rather than the Grignard reaction and (ii) CH(3)CO(2)H to complete a catalytic cycle for the decarboxylation of acetic acid. Other electrophilic reagents such as pivaldehyde, benzaldehyde, methyl iodide, and trimethylborate are unreactive. DFT calculations on the competition between enolization and the Grignard reaction for [CH(3)MgCl(2)](-) ions reacting with acetaldehyde suggest that while the latter has a smaller barrier, it is entropically disfavored.

Absolute Asymmetric Synthesis of “Chiral-at-Metal” Grignard Reagents and Transfer of the Chirality to Carbon

Two new six-coordinate Grignard reagents, cis-[(p-CH(3)C(6)H(4))MgBr(dme)(2)] (1) and cis-[MgCH(3)(thf)(dme)(2)]I (2), have been synthesized and their crystal structures have been determined. Both reagents are cis-octahedral and therefore chiral. They crystallize as conglomerates and racemize rapidly in solution. By utilizing these properties, the absolute asymmetric synthesis of specifically the Delta or the Lambda enantiomer was achieved for both Grignard reagents. Enantiopure 1 and 2 were then reacted with butyraldehyde or benzaldehyde to give the corresponding alcohol in up to 22 % enantiomeric excess. At -60 degrees C, the Grignard reagents crystallize as racemic phases instead of conglomerates. Consequently, the crystal structures of rac-cis-[(p-CH(3)C(6)H(4))MgBr(dme)(2)].DME (3) and rac-cis-[MgCH(3)(thf)(dme)(2)]I (4) could be determined.

MgF(3)(-) as a transition state analog of phosphoryl transfer

The formation of complexes between small G proteins and certain of their effectors can be facilitated by aluminum fluorides. Solution studies suggest that magnesium may be able to replace aluminum in such complexes. We have determined the crystal structure of RhoA.GDP bound to RhoGAP in the presence of Mg(2+) and F(-) but without Al(3+). The metallofluoride adopts a trigonal planar arrangement instead of the square planar structure of AlF(4)(-). We have confirmed that these crystals contain magnesium and not aluminum by proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy. The structure adopted by GDP.MgF(-) possesses the stereochemistry and approximate charge expected for the transition state. We suggest that MgF3(-) may be the reagent of choice for studying phosphoryl transfer reactions.

Synthesis and characterization of an unsolvated dimeric diarylmagnesium compound and its magnesium iodide byproducts

The Grignard reagent 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3)MgI(THF)(n), 1, undergoes rapid aryl exchange in THF solution at room temperature to afford the diorganomagnesium compound (2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3))(2)Mg(THF)(n), 2, and the sparingly soluble salt Mg(THF)(6)I(2), 5. Removal of the coordinated THF in 2 under reduced pressure and elevated temperature affords the unique diorganomagnesium species [2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3)Mg(mu-C(6)H(3)Et(2)-2,6)](2), 3, which features three-coordinate magnesium. Compound 3 is fluxional in benzene or toluene solution at room temperature and dissociates into monomeric (2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3))(2)Mg around 115 degrees C. Recrystallization of crude 5 from benzene solution gave large well-shaped crystals of MgI(2)(THF)(3), 4, and 5. Benzene solutions of 4 and 5 are remarkably easily oxidized by laboratory air to MgI(THF)(5)I(3), 6. Compound 3 has been characterized by variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, and compounds 4-6 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and transmetalation reactions of a tetranuclear magnesium silsesquioxane complex

The reaction of a silsesquioxane trisilanol with methylmagnesium chloride leads to an unprecedented tetranuclear magnesium silsesquioxane complex 1 in high yield. The crystal structure shows an unusually short Mg-Cl bond, indicative of an electron-deficient magnesium atom; 1 has been used as transmetalation agent for the synthesis of metal silsesquioxane complexes. Transmetalation activity was low, but can easily be followed by multinuclear NMR. Crystal data for 1: C(78)H(142)Cl(2)Mg(4)O(26)Si(14).6(C(4)H(8)O), a = 15.744(1) A, b = 26.526(2) A, c = 16.917(1) A, beta = 113.229(2) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z = 2.

Free radicals and Lewis acid. Chelation-controlled radical allylations of substituted α-halo- or α-phenylseleno-β-alkoxy esters. The endocyclic effect

The radical allylation of a series of α-halo or α-phenylseleno-β-alkoxy esters in the presence of MgBr2·OEt2 is reported and compared with analogous reactions under non-chelating conditions. The addition of MgBr2·OEt2 gives excellent selectivity favoring anti products; in some cases ratios >100:1 are obtained. Varying the substrate substituents reveals that these reactions are quite tolerant of alkyl functionalities at the β-position. Changes to the alkoxy function indicate that a chelate is involved in the reaction. The reactions are successful with secondary iodides, bromides, and phenylselenides, as well as tertiary iodides, which all give very high ratios under chelation control. Performing less well under the same conditions are substrates with a radical exocyclic to a tetrahydrofuran ring. EDTA titration is used to determine the amount of Mg2+ dissolved in the allylation reaction mixture, and 13C NMR is employed to better define the nature of the complex formed (chelate or monodentate) prior to the reaction. Competition experiments suggest that the chelate and monodentate pathways are in competition for the radical allylation with allyltributyltin.Key words: allylation, radicals, Lewis acid, stereoselectivity, 1,2-induction.