In many ways the chemistry of group 2 elements mimics that of group 12 elements because both groups have filled s shells for valence electrons. Thus, both groups have nominal valency 2 and oxidation state +2. All group 2 elements are electropositive towards carbon and electronegativity decreases down the row. At the same time the atomic radius increases resulting in increasingly ionic character, higher coordination numbers, and increased ligand reactivity. Many dialkyl group 2 metals are polymeric in the crystalline phase and resemble trimethylaluminium in three-center two-electron bond. In the gas-phase they are once again monomeric. The metallocenes in this group are unusual. Bisberyllium or beryllocene with a molecular dipole moment of 2.2 D rules out a classical metallocene with two hapticity 5 ligands. Instead the compound is a so-called slip 5η/1ηsandwich and on top of that also fluxional up to −125 °C. While magnesocene is a regular metallocene, biscalcium 2Ca is actually bent with an angle of 147°. This angle increases going down the row. Low-valent organometallics with formal oxidation state 1 having a metal to metal bond are also known. A representative is LMg-MgL with L = −.
Synthesis
The mixed alkyl/aryl-halide compounds are typically prepared by oxidative addition. The iconic products of such reactions are the Grignard reagents. An analogous reaction proceeds with calcium but the metal must be specially activated. Three important ways to synthesize dialkyl and diaryl group 2 metal compounds are
Although organomagnesium compounds are widespread in the form of Grignard reagents, the other organo-group 2 compound are almost exclusively of academic interest. Organoberyllium chemistry is limited due to the cost and toxicity of beryllium. Further down this group calcium is nontoxic and cheap but organocalcium compounds are difficult to prepare as are the organic derivatives of strontium and barium. One use for this type of compounds is in chemical vapor deposition.
Organoberyllium
Beryllium derivatives and reagents are often prepared by alkylation of beryllium chloride. Examples of known organoberyllium compounds are dineopentylberyllium, beryllocene, diallylberyllium, bisberyllium and Be2. Ligands can also be aryls and alkynyls.
Organomagnesium
The formation of alkyl or aryl magnesium halides from magnesium metal and an alkyl halide is proceeds via a SET process. Examples of Grignard reagents are phenylmagnesium bromide and ethylmagnesium bromide. Beyond Grignard reagents, another organomagnesium compound is magnesium anthracene. This orange solid is used as a source of highly active magnesium. Butadiene magnesium serves as a source for the butadiene dianion.
Organocalcium
Dimethylcalcium, one of the simplest organocalcium compounds, is obtained by metathesis reaction of calcium bisamide and methyllithium in diethyl ether: A well known organocalcium compound is calcium. Biscalcium was described in 2009. It forms in a metathesis reaction of allylpotassium and calcium iodide as a stable non-pyrophoric off-white powder: The bonding mode is η3. This compound is also reported to give access to an η1 polymeric n compound. The compound also described in 2009 is an inverse sandwich compound with two calcium atoms at either side of an arene. Olefins tethered to cyclopentadienyl ligands have been shown to coordinate to calcium, strontium, and barium: Organocalcium compounds are investigated as catalysts.
Organostrontium
Organostrontium compounds have been reported as intermediates in Barbier-type reactions.
Organobarium
Organobarium compounds of the type BaCl can be prepared by reaction of activated barium with allyl halides. These allylbarium compounds react with carbonyl compounds. Such reagents are more alpha-selective and more stereoselective than the related Grignards or organocalcium compounds. The metallocene 2Ba has also been reported.
Organoradium
The only known organoradium compound is the gas-phase acetylide.
