On the use of solid-state 45Sc NMR for structural investigations of molecular and silica-supported scandium amide catalysts.

Tris- and tetra-coordinated scandium amides were grafted onto silica and probed as catalysts for alkyne dimerization. 45Sc NMR was carried out, providing information about the metal coordination sphere. The increasing number of coordinated ligands was correlated with decreased catalytic activity.