Hydrogenolysis of the scorpionate-supported barium alkyl complex (Tp )Ba[CH(SiMe ) ](THF) (Tp =hydrotris(3-adamantyl-5-isopropyl-pyrazolyl)borate) afforded the dinuclear barium hydrido complex [(Tp )Ba(μ-H)] (2), which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Exposure of 2 with 1 atm of CO resulted in a reductive coupling process to form the cis-ethendiolate dianion (3). Reaction of 2 with one equivalent of PhC≡C-C≡CPh gave barium 1,4-diphenyl-2-butyne-1,4-diyl complex {[(Tp )Ba] (PhCH-C≡C-CHPh) (4).

Mononuclear calcium unsubstituted alkyl complex [(TpAd,iPr)Ca{(CH2)4Ph}(THP)], proposed as the catalytic alkene hydrogenation intermediate, was isolated for the first time.

Water‐soluble electrically conductive polymer poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was synthesized by the enzymatic‐catalyzed method using 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) as monomer, poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) as water‐soluble polyelectrolyte, horseradish peroxidase enzyme as catalyst, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as oxidant. Fourier transform infrared spectra and UV–vis absorption spectra confirm the successful enzymatic‐catalyzed polymerization of PEDOT. Dynamic light scattering data confirm the formation of a stable PEDOT:PSS aqueous dispersion. The thermo gravimetric data show that the obtained PEDOT is stable over a fairly high range of temperatures. The atomic force microscopy height images show that the PEDOT:PSS aqueous dispersion can form excellent homogeneous and smooth films on various substrates by conventional solution processing techniques, which renders this PEDOT:PSS aqueous dispersion a very promising candidate for various application in electronic devices. This enzymatic polymerization is a new approach for the synthesis of optical and electrical active PEDOT polymer, which benefits simple setting, high yields, and environmental friendly route. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.