Convenient preparation of ytterbium(III) chalcogenolate complexes by insertion of ytterbium into chalcogen-chalcogen bonds. Application in the ring-opening of epoxides

Convenient conditions are reported for the preparation of ytterbium(III) chalcogenolate complexes by insertion of ytterbium metal into the chalcogen–chalcogen bond of disulfides, diselenides, and ditellurides. The resulting complexes have been found to transfer arylsulfanyl, -selenanyl, and -telluranyl groups to epoxides in a facile ring-opening reaction. The ytterbium(III) chalcogenolate complexes appear to perform a dual role in both activating the epoxide, due to their Lewis acidic nature, and supplying a nucleophile to the coordinated substrate.