OsH6(PiPr3)2 has been
used to selectively activate C–H, O–H, and C–C
sigma bonds in nucleobases and nucleosides, including derivatives
of 6-phenylpurine and 4-phenylpyrimidine, leading to cyclometalated
mononuclear Os–trihydride complexes, in excellent yields and
as single products. Additionally, OsH6(PiPr3)2 promotes the efficient dehydrogenative decarbonylation
of primary alcohols in nucleosides having unprotected sugar moieties.
The incorporation of OsH2Cl2(PiPr3)2 in the structure of cyclometalated Ir(III) and
Rh(III) half-sandwich complexes derived from nucleosides allows the
preparation of a class of heterobimetallic bioorganometallic complexes
having at least one M–C bond. These methodologies could be
used in the future as a way for the orthogonal functionalization of
oligonucleotides.