Bis(1,3-trimethylsilylallyl)beryllium

(Figure Presented) Shape-shifter: The beryllium allyl complex [Be{1,3-(SiMe₃)₂C₃H₃} ₂(Et₂O)] (see picture) has been synthesized and its X-ray structure determined. Although the allyl ligands are o bonded, the molecule is fluxional in solution, and it engages in a Schlenk equilibrium with BeCl ₂. DFT calculations suggest that in the absence of a coordinated base, both σ- and π-bound forms would be potential energy minima.