Rare earth metal complexes bearing thiophene-amido ligand: synthesis and structural characterization

2,6-diisopropyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)aniline (H2L) has been prepared, which reacted with equimolar rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2, afforded rare earth metal mono(alkyl) complexes, LLn(CH2SiMe3)(THF)3 (:Ln=Lu; :Ln=Y). In this process, H2L was deprotonated by one metal alkyl species followed by intramolecular C-H activation of the thiophene ring to generate dianionic species L2- with the release of two tetramethylsilane. The resulting L2- combined with three THF molecules and an alkyl unit coordinates to Y3+ and Lu3+ ions, respectively, in a rare N,C-bidentate mode, to generate distorted octahedron geometry ligand core. Whereas, with treatment of H2L with equimolar Sc(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2, a heteroleptic complex (HL)(L)Sc(THF) () was isolated as the main product, where the dianionic L2- species bonds to Sc3+ via chelating N,C atoms whilst the monoanionic HL connects to Sc3+ in an S,N-bidentate mode. All complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Reduction of carbodiimides by samarium(II) bis(trimethylsilyl)amides-formation of oxalamidinates and amidinates through C-C coupling or C-H activation

The reaction of [Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2(THF)2] (THF=tetrahydrofuran) with carbodiimides RN=C=NR (R=Cy, C6H3-2,6-iPr2) led to the formation of dinuclear SmIII complexes via differing C-C coupling processes. For R=Cy, the product [{(Me3Si)2N}2Sm(micro-C2N4Cy4)Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2] (1) has an oxalamidinate [C2N4Cy4]2- ligand resulting from coupling at the central C atoms of two CyNCNCy moieties. In contrast, for R=C6H3-2,6-iPr2, H transfer and an unusual coupling of two iPr methine C atoms resulted in a linked formamidinate complex, [{(Me3Si)2N}2Sm{micro-(RNC(H)N(Ar-Ar)NC(H)NR)}Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2] (2) (Ar-Ar=C6H3-2-iPr-6-C(CH3)2C(CH3)2-6'-C6H3-2'-iPr). Analogous reactions of RN=C=NR (R=Cy, C6H3-2,6-iPr2) with the SmII "ate" complex [Sm{N(SiMe2)3Na] gave 1 for R=Cy, but a novel C-substituted amidinate complex, [(THF)Na{N(R)C(NR)CH2Si(Me2)N(SiMe3)}Sm{N(SiMe3)2}2] (3), for R=C6H3-2,6-iPr2, via gamma C-H activation of a N(SiMe3)2 ligand.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a series of lanthanide(II) amides: steric effect of amido ligand

The synthesis and structures of a series of lanthanide(II) and lanthanide(III) complexes supported by the amido ligand N(SiMe3)Ar were described. Several lanthanide(III) amide chlorides were synthesized by a metathesis reaction of LnCl3 with lithium amide, including {[(C6H5)(Me3Si)N]2YbCl(THF)}2.PhCH3 (1), [(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]2YbCl(mu-Cl)Li(THF)3.PhCH3 (4), [(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]YbCl2(THF)3 (6), and [(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]2SmCl3Li2(THF)4 (7). The reduction reaction of 1 with Na-K alloy afforded bisamide ytterbium(II) complex [(C6H5)(Me3Si)N]2Yb(DME)2 (2). The same reaction for Sm gave an insoluble black powder. An analogous samarium(II) complex [(C6H5)(Me3Si)N]2Sm(DME)2 (3) was prepared by the metathesis reaction of SmI2 with NaN(C6H5)(SiMe3). The reduction reaction of ytterbium chloride 4 with Na-K alloy afforded monoamide chloride {[(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]Yb(mu-Cl)(THF)2}2 (5), which is the first example of ytterbium(II) amide chloride, formed via the cleavage of the Yb-N bond. The same reduction reaction of 7 gave a normal bisamide complex [(C6H3-iPr2-2,6)(SiMe3)N]2Sm(THF)2 (8) via Sm-Cl bond cleavage. This is the first example for the steric effect on the outcome of the reduction reaction in lanthanide(II) chemistry. 5 can also be synthesized by the Na/K alloy reduction reaction of 6. All of the complexes were fully characterized including X-ray diffraction for 1-7.     

The first structurally characterized cationic lanthanide-alkyl complexes

Reaction of rare earth metal-alkyl complexes [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2](Ln = Y, Lu) with B(C6X5)3(X = H, F) in the presence of crown ethers gives crystallographically characterized ion pairs [Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(CE)(THF)n]+[B(CH2SiMe3)(C6X5)3]-(CE = [12]-crown-4, n = 1; CE = [15]-crown-5 and [18]-crown-6, n = 0).     

Synthetic and structural experiments on yttrium, cerium and magnesium trimethylsilylmethyls and their reaction products with nitriles; with a note on two cerium beta-diketiminates

The yttrium, cerium and magnesium bis(trimethylsilyl)methyls [Ln[CH(SiMe3)2]3][Ln = Y (1), Ce (2)], and the known compound Mg[[CH(SiMe3)2]2 (C) and [Mg(mu-Br)[CH(SiMe3)2](OEt2)]2 (D) formed the crystalline nitrile adducts [1(NCBut)2] (5), [2(NCPh)] (6), [C(NCR)2][R = But (8), Ph (9), C6H3Me2-2,6 (10)] and [Mg(mu-Br)[CH(SiMe3)2](NCR)]2 [R = But (11), Ph (12), C6H3Me2-2,6 (13)], rather than beta-diketiminato-metal insertion products. The beta-diketiminato-cerium complex [Ce[(N(SiMe3)C(C6H4But-4))2CH][N(SiMe3)2]2] (16) was obtained from [Ce[N(SiMe3)2]3] and the beta-diketimine H[[N(SiMe3)C(C6H4But-4)]2CH]]. The cerium alkyl 2 and [Ln[CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2OMe)]3][Ln = Y (3), Ce (4)] were obtained from the appropriate lithium alkyl precursor and [Ce(OC6H2But2-2,6-Me-4)3] or LnCl3, respectively. Heating complex 3 with benzonitrile in toluene afforded 2,2-dimethyl-4,6-diphenyl-5-trimethylsilyl-1,3-diaza-2-silahexa-1,3-diene (7), a member of a new class of heterocycles. The X-ray structures of the crystalline compounds, D, [Mg[CH(SiMe3)2]2(OEt2)2], the known [Ce(Cl)[(N(SiMe3)C(Ph))2CH]2] (E) and 16 are reported. The cerium alkyl (like 1) has one close Ce...C contact for each ligand, attributed to a gamma-C-Ce agostic interaction. The Ln alkyls and have a trigonal prismatic arrangement of the chelating ligands (each of the same chirality at Calpha) around the metal. In an arene solution at 313 K exists as two isomers, as evident from detailed NMR spectroscopic experiments.     

Calcium-mediated intramolecular hydroamination catalysis

The calcium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of alkenes and alkynes is reported. The beta-diketiminato complex [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}-Ca{N(SiMe3)2}(THF)] affects catalytic cyclization of a range of aminoalkenes and aminoalkynes with activities that are broadly commensurate to those of established rare earth catalysts.     

Kinetic stability of heteroleptic (beta-diketiminato) heavier alkaline-earth (Ca, Sr, Ba) amides

The potential of the heteroleptic heavier alkaline-earth hexamethyldisilazides [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}Ae{N(SiMe3)2}(THF)](Ae = Ca, Sr, Ba) as kinetically-stable reagents for further protolytic reaction chemistry has been assessed. Only the previously reported calcium complex was found to be stable to solution dismutation and dynamic ligand exchange. The barium complex was isolated in sufficient purity to enable characterisation by an X-ray analysis. Reactions of the kinetically robust calcium complex with cyclohexylamine and tert-butylamine resulted in displacement of THF and formation of solvated structures, which could be characterised by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Attempts to isolate these solvated complexes were unsuccessful due to redistribution to the homoleptic complex [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}2Ca]. In contrast, the more acidic amine [H2NCH2CH2OMe] was cleanly deprotonated resulting in the isolation of the first well defined primary amido derivative of a heavier alkaline-earth element, [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}Ca{NHCH2CH2OMe}]2, which retains its dimeric constitution in solution and is stable to further intermolecular ligand exchange. Reactions of [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}Ca{N(SiMe3)2}(THF)] with a variety of ortho-disubstituted anilines also resulted in immediate protonation of the hexamethyldisilazide ligand. Only the most sterically demanding 2,6-diisopropylphenyl anilide derivative possessed sufficient kinetic stability to allow isolation of the heteroleptic complex. The crystal structure of [{HC(C(Me)2N-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2}Ca{N(H)-2,6-iPrC6H3}(THF)] was shown to exist as a mononuclear, pseudo-five-coordinate complex in which the coordinative unsaturation of the calcium centre is relieved by a Ca...H-C agostic-type interaction to one of the ortho isopropyl groups of the anilide ligand. This interaction is not maintained in solution however and the complex slowly redistributes to the homoleptic beta-diketiminato species and ill-defined polymeric calcium anilido products.     

Highly efficient hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes and unactivated ketones catalyzed by methylene-linked pyrrolyl rare earth metal amido complexes

A series of rare earth metal amido complexes bearing methylene-linked pyrrolyl-amido ligands were prepared through silylamine elimination reactions and displayed high catalytic activities in hydrophosphonylations of aldehydes and unactivated ketones under solvent-free conditions for liquid substrates. Treatment of [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(μ-Cl)Li(THF)(3) with 2-(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3)NHCH(2))C(4)H(3)NH (1, 1 equiv) in toluene afforded the corresponding trivalent rare earth metal amides of formula {(μ-η(5):η(1)):η(1)-2-[(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))NCH(2)](C(4)H(3)N)LnN(SiMe(3))(2)}(2) [Ln=Y (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Dy (5), Yb (6)] in moderate to good yields. All compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and elemental analyses. The yttrium complex was also characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopic analyses. The structures of complexes 2, 3, 4, and 6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. Study of the catalytic activities of the complexes showed that these rare earth metal amido complexes were excellent catalysts for hydrophosphonylations of aldehydes and unactivated ketones. The catalyzed reactions between diethyl phosphite and aldehydes in the presence of the rare earth metal amido complexes (0.1 mol%) afforded the products in high yields (up to 99%) at room temperature in short times of 5 to 10 min. Furthermore, the catalytic addition of diethyl phosphite to unactivated ketones also afforded the products in high yields of up to 99% with employment of low loadings (0.1 to 0.5 mol%) of the rare earth metal amido complexes at room temperature in short times of 20 min. The system works well for a wide range of unactivated aliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic ketones, especially for substituted benzophenones, giving the corresponding α-hydroxy diaryl phosphonates in moderate to high yields.     

Cationic rare-earth metal trimethylsilylmethyl complexes supported by THF and 12-crown-4 ligands: synthesis and structural characterization

To expand the limited range of rare-earth metal cationic alkyl complexes known, a series of mono- and dicationic trimethylsilylmethyl complexes supported by THF and 12-crown-4 ligands with [BPh4]-, [BPh3(CH2SiMe3)]-, [B(C6F5)4]-, [B(C6F5)3(CH2SiMe3)]-, and [Al(CH2SiMe3)4]- anions were prepared from corresponding neutral precursors [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3Ln] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu; L = THF, n = 2 or 3; L = 12-crown-4, n = 1) as solvent-separated ion pairs. The syntheses of the monocationic derivatives [Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(12-crown-4)n(THF)m]+[A]- are all high yielding and proceed rapidly in THF solution at room temperature. A "one pot" procedure using the neutral species directly for the syntheses of a number of lutetium and yttrium dicationic derivatives [Ln(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)n(THF)m]2+[A]-2 with a variety of different anions, a class of compounds previously limited to just a few examples, is presented. When BPh3 is used to generate the ion triple, the presence of 12-crown-4 is required for complete conversion. Addition of a second equiv of 12-crown-4 and a third equiv of [NMe2PhH]+[B(C6F5)4]- abstracts a third alkyl group from [Ln(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)2(THF)x]2+[B(C6F5)4]-2 (Ln = Y, Lu). X-ray crystallography and variable-temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy reveal a structural diversity within the known series of neutral 12-crown-4 supported tris(trimethylsilylmethyl) complexes [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(12-crown-4)] (Ln = Sc, Y, Sm, Gd-Lu) in the solid and solution states. The X-ray structure of [Sc(CH2SiMe3)3(12-crown-4)] exhibits incomplete 12-crown-4 coordination. VT NMR spectroscopy indicates fluxional 12-crown-4 coordination on the NMR time scale. X-ray crystallography of only the second structurally characterized dicationic rare-earth metal alkyl complex [Y(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)(THF)3]2+[BPh4]-2 shows exocyclic 12-crown-4 coordination at the 8-coordinate metal center with well separated counteranions. 11B and 19F NMR spectroscopy of all mono- and dicationic rare-earth metal complexes reported demonstrate that the anions are symmetrical and noncoordinating on the NMR time scale. A series of trends within the 1H and 13C{1H} NMR resonances arising from the Ln-CH2 groups and, in the case of yttrium, the 1JYC coupling constants at the Y-CH2 group and the 89Y chemical shift values are discussed.     

Rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes bearing amidinate ancillary ligands: synthesis, characterization, and performance as catalyst precursors for cis-1,4 selective polymerization of isoprene

A family of rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes bearing monoanionic amidinate [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)](-) (R = cyclohexyl (Cy), phenyl (Ph)) as ancillary ligands were synthesized and characterized. One-pot salt metathesis reaction of anhydrous LnCl(3) with one equivalent of amidinate lithium [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Li, following the introduction of two equivalents of NaN(SiMe(3))(2) in THF at room temperature afforded the neutral and unsolvated mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(amide) complexes [RC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (R = Cy (1); R = Ph (2)), and the "ate" mono(amidinate) rare earth metal bis(amide) complex [CyC(N-2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))(2)]Lu[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(μ-Cl)Li(THF)(3) (3) in 61-72% isolated yields. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Single crystal structural determination revealed that the central metal in complexes 1 and 2 adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry, and in complex 3 forms a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. In the presence of AlMe(3), and in combination with one equimolar amount of [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], complexes 1 and 2 showed high activity towards isoprene polymerization to give high molecular weight polyisoprene (M(n) > 10(4)) with good cis-1,4 selectivity (>90%).     

Synthesis and reactivity of rare earth metal alkyl complexes stabilized by anilido phosphinimine and amino phosphine ligands

Anilido phosphinimino ancillary ligand H(2)L(1) reacted with one equivalent of rare earth metal trialkyl [Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(3)(thf)(2)] (Ln=Y, Lu) to afford rare earth metal monoalkyl complexes [L(1)LnCH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)(THF)] (1 a: Ln=Y; 1 b: Ln=Lu). In this process, deprotonation of H(2)L(1) by one metal alkyl species was followed by intramolecular C--H activation of the phenyl group of the phosphine moiety to generate dianionic species L(1) with release of two equivalnts of tetramethylsilane. Ligand L(1) coordinates to Ln(3+) ions in a rare C,N,N tridentate mode. Complex l a reacted readily with two equivalents of 2,6-diisopropylaniline to give the corresponding bis-amido complex [(HL(1))LnY(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)] (2) selectively, that is, the C--H activation of the phenyl group is reversible. When 1 a was exposed to moisture, the hydrolyzed dimeric complex [{(HL(1))Y(OH)}(2)](OH)(2) (3) was isolated. Treatment of [Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(3)(thf)(2)] with amino phosphine ligands HL(2-R) gave stable rare earth metal bis-alkyl complexes [(L(2-R))Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(2)(thf)] (4 a: Ln=Y, R=Me; 4 b: Ln=Lu, R=Me; 4 c: Ln=Y, R=iPr; 4 d: Ln=Y, R=iPr) in high yields. No proton abstraction from the ligand was observed. Amination of 4 a and 4 c with 2,6-diisopropylaniline afforded the bis-amido counterparts [(L(2-R))Y(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)(thf)] (5 a: R=Me; 5 b: R=iPr). Complexes 1 a,b and 4 a-d initiated the ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide with high activity to give atactic polylactides.     

Metal versus ligand alkylation in the reactivity of the (bis-iminopyridinato)Fe catalyst

The alkylation of the Brookhart-Gibson {2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2(C5H3N)} FeCl2 precatalyst with 2 equiv of LiCH2Si(CH3)3 led to the isolation of several catalytically very active products depending on the reaction conditions. The expected dialkylated species {2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2}(C5H3N)Fe(CH2SiMe3)2 (2) was indeed the major component of the reaction mixture. However, other species in which alkylation occurred at the pyridine ring ortho position, {2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]2-2-CH2SiMe3}(C5H3N)Fe(CH2SiMe3) (1), and at the imine C atom, {2-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN=C(CH3)]-6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhNC(CH3)(CH2 SiMe3)](C5H3N)}Fe(CH2SiMe3) (3), have also been isolated and fully characterized. In addition, deprotonation of the methyl-imino functions and formation of a new divalent Fe catalyst {[2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN-C=(CH2)]2(C5H3N)}Fe(mu-Cl)Li(THF)3 (4) also occurred depending on the reaction conditions. In turn, the formation of 4 might trigger the reductive coupling of two units through the methyl-carbon wings. This process resulted in the one-electron reduction of the metal center, affording a dinuclear Fe(I) alkyl catalyst {[{[2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H5]N=C(CH3)}(C5H3N){[2,6-(i-Pr)26H5]N=CCH2}Fe(CH2SiMe3)]}2 (5). Different from other metal derivatives, complex 5 could not be prepared from the monodeprotonated version of the ligand. Its reaction with a mixture of FeCl2 and RLi afforded instead [{2,6-[2,6-(i-Pr)2PhN-C=(CH2)]2(C5H3N)}FeCH2Si(CH3)3][Li(THF)4] (6) which is also catalytically active. All of these high-spin species have been shown to have high catalytic activity for olefin polymerization, producing polymers of two distinct natures, depending on the formal oxidation state of the metal center.     

Bis(imidazolin-2-iminato) rare earth metal complexes: synthesis, structural characterization, and catalytic application

Reaction of anhydrous rare earth metal halides MCl(3) with 2 equiv of 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-imine (Im(Dipp)NH) and 2 equiv of trimethylsilylmethyl lithium (Me(3)SiCH(2)Li) in THF furnished the complexes [(Im(Dipp)N)(2)MCl(THF)(n)] (M = Sc, Y, Lu). The molecular structures of all three compounds were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The coordination spheres around the pentacoordinate metal atoms are best described as trigonal bipyramids. Reaction of YbI(2) with 2 equiv of LiCH(2)SiMe(3) and 2 equiv of the imino ligand Im(Dipp)NH in tetrahydrofuran did not result in a divalent complex, but instead the Yb(III) complex [(Im(Dipp)N)(2)YbI(THF)(2)] was obtained and structurally characterized. Treatment of [(Im(Dipp)N)(2)MCl(THF)(n)] with 1 equiv of LiCH(2)SiMe(3) resulted in the formation of [(Im(Dipp)N)(2)M(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF)(n)]. The coordination arrangement of these compounds in the solid state at the metal atoms is similar to that found for the starting materials, although the introduction of the neosilyl ligand induces a significantly greater distortion from the ideal trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. [(Im(Dipp)N)(2)Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(THF)(2)] was used as precatalyst in the intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization reaction of various terminal aminoalkenes and of one aminoalkyne. The complex showed high catalytic activity and selectivity. A comparison with the previously reported dialkyl yttrium complex [(Im(Dipp)N)Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)(3)] showed no clear tendency in terms of activity.     

Half-sandwich o-N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl complexes over the full size range of group 3 and lanthanide metals. synthesis, structural characterization, and catalysis of phosphine P--H bond addition to carbodiimides

The acid-base reactions between the rare-earth metal (Ln) tris(ortho-N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl) complexes [Ln(CH2C(H4NMe2-o)3] with one equivalent of the silylene-linked cyclopentadiene-amine ligand (C5Me4H)SiMe2NH(C6H2Me3-2,4,6) afforded the corresponding half-sandwich aminobenzyl complexes [{Me2Si(C5Me4)(NC6H2Me3-2,4,6)}Ln(CH2C6H4NMe2-o)(thf)] (2-Ln) (Ln=Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Lu) in 60-87 % isolated yields. The one-pot reaction between ScCl(3) and [Me2Si(C5Me4)(NC6H2Me3-2,4,6)]Li2 followed by reaction with LiCH2C6H4NMe2-o in THF gave the scandium analogue [{Me2Si(C5Me4)(NC6H2Me3-2,4,6)}Sc(CH2C6H4NMe2-o)] (2-Sc) in 67 % isolated yield. 2-Sc could not be prepared by the acid-base reaction between [Sc(CH2C6H4NMe2-o)3] and (C5Me4H)SiMe2NH(C6H2Me3-2,4,6). These half-sandwich rare-earth metal aminobenzyl complexes can serve as efficient catalyst precursors for the catalytic addition of various phosphine P--H bonds to carbodiimides to form a series of phosphaguanidine derivatives with excellent tolerability to aromatic carbon-halogen bonds. A significant increase in the catalytic activity was observed, as a result of an increase in the metal size with a general trend of La>Pr, Nd>Sm>Gd>Lu>Sc. The reaction of 2-La with 1 equiv of Ph2PH yielded the corresponding phosphide complex [{Me2Si(C5Me4)(NC6H2Me3-2,4,6)}La(PPh2)(thf)2] (4), which, on recrystallization from benzene, gave the dimeric analogue [{Me2Si(C5Me4)(NC6H2Me3-2,4,6)}La(PPh2)]2 (5). Addition of 4 or 5 to iPrN=C=NiPr in THF yielded the phosphaguanidinate complex [{Me2Si(C5Me4)(NC6H2Me3-2,4,6)}La{iPrNC(PPh2)NiPr}(thf)] (6), which, on recrystallization from ether, afforded the ether-coordinated structurally characterizable analogue [{Me2Si(C5Me4)(NC6H2Me3-2,4,6)}La{iPrNC(PPh2)NiPr}(OEt2)] (7). The reaction of 6 or 7 with Ph2PH in THF yielded 4 and the phosphaguanidine iPrN=C(PPh2)NHiPr (3a). These results suggest that the catalytic formation of a phosphaguanidine compound proceeds through the nucleophilic addition of a phosphide species, which is formed by the acid-base reaction between a rare-earth metal o-dimethylaminobenzyl bond and a phosphine P--H bond, to a carbodiimide, followed by the protonolysis of the resultant phosphaguanidinate species by a phosphine P--H bond. Almost all of the rare earth complexes reported this paper were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of novel mixed-valent samarium and divalent ytterbium and europium complexes supported by amine bis(phenolate) ligands

The amine-elimination reactions of Ln[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2(Ln=Sm, Yb and Eu) with amine bis(phenol)s (L1H2=[BunN(CH(2)-2-OC6H(2)-3,5-But2)2]H2; L2H2=[Me2NCH2CH2N(CH(2)-2-OC6H(2)-3,5-But2)2]H2) were investigated. It was found that the number of heteroatom(s) in the ligands has a profound effect on the reaction outcome for the samarium systems. Reaction of the tetradentate diamino-bis(phenol)s L2H2 with Sm[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2 afforded a yellow solution, which indicated the complete oxidation of the SmII species, yellow being the characteristic color of SmIII species, while the same reaction with Eu[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2 gave a divalent complex with a dimeric structure (EuL2)2. Using the tridentate amine bis(phenol)s L1H2 as the reagent, the novel mixed-valent samarium complex SmIII2SmIIL1(4) was prepared by the same reaction. Both reactions of L1H2 with Yb[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2 and Eu[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2 yielded the normal divalent lanthanide complexes: monomeric complex for YbII, YbL1(THF)3 and dimeric complex for EuII, (EuL1)2. All of the complexes are well characterized with elemental analyses, IR and 1H NMR spectra for , and , as well as X-ray crystal structure determination in the cases of complexes , , and .     

Highly trans-1,4 selective (co-)polymerization of butadiene and isoprene with quinolyl anilido rare earth metal bis(alkyl) precursors

The N-R-quinolinyl-8-amino ligands HL(1-3) (R = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (HL(1)), 2,6-Et(2)C(6)H(3) (HL(2)), 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (HL(3))) have been prepared, which reacted readily with one equiv. of rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s to afford the corresponding bis(alkyl) complexes L(1)Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF) (1) and L(1-3)Lu(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF) (2-4) via alkane elimination. Contrastingly, treatment of the in situ generated neodymium tri(alkyl)s with HL(1) afforded a mono(alkyl) neodymium complex (5). Complexes 1, 2 and 5 in combination with aluminium alkyls and organoborates established homogenous ternary systems that exhibited versatile catalytic activities and trans-1,4 selectivities for the polymerization of butadiene, depending on the types of aluminium alkyl, organoborate and rare earth metal used. Furthermore, the trans-1,4 selective copolymerization of butadiene and isoprene was achieved by using the ternary system of 1/AlMe(3)/[Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]. Both the kinetics of copolymerization and the thermal behavior of the copolymers were investigated.     

Highly cis-1,4 selective polymerization of dienes with homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts based on NCN-pincer rare earth metal dichloride precursors

The first aryldiimine NCN-pincer ligated rare earth metal dichlorides (2,6-(2,6-C6H3R2N=CH)2-C6H3)LnCl2(THF)2 (Ln = Y, R = Me (1), Et (2), iPr (3); R = Et, Ln = La (4), Nd (5), Gd (6), Sm (7), Eu (8), Tb (9), Dy (10), Ho (11), Yb (12), Lu (13)) were successfully synthesized via transmetalation between 2,6-(2,6-C6H3-R2N=CH)2-C6H3Li and LnCl3(THF)(1-3.5). These complexes are isostructural monomers with two coordinating THF molecules, where the pincer ligand coordinates to the central metal ion in a kappaC:kappaN:kappaN' tridentate mode, adopting a meridional geometry. Complexes 1-6, 9-11, and 13 combined with aluminum tris(alkyl)s and [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] established a homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst system, which exhibited high activities and excellent cis-1,4 selectivities for the polymerizations of butadiene (T(p) = 25 degrees C, 99.9%; 0 degrees C, 100%) and isoprene (T(p) = 25 degrees C, 98.8%). Remarkably, such high cis-1,4 selectivity almost remained at elevated polymerization temperatures up to 80 degrees C and did not vary with the type of the central lanthanide element, however, which was influenced obviously by the ortho substituent of the N-aryl ring of the ligands and the bulkiness of the aluminum alkyls. The Ln-Al bimetallic cations were considered as the active species. These results shed new light on improving the catalytic performance of the conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts for the specific selective polymerization of dienes.     

Preparation, characterization, and magnetic behavior of the ln derivatives (ln = nd, la) of a 2,6-diiminepyridine ligand and corresponding dianion

An unprecedented Nd[2,6-[[2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N=C(CH(3))](2)(C(5)H(3)N)]NdI(2)(THF) (1) complex was prepared by oxidizing metallic Nd with I(2) in THF and in the presence of 2,6-[[2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N=C(CH(3))](2)(C(5)H(3)N). The magnetic behavior at variable T clearly indicated that the complex should be regarded as a trivalent Nd atom antiferromagnetically coupled to a radical anion. By using the doubly deprotonated form of the diimino pyridine ligand [[2,6-[[2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N-C=CH(2)](2)(C(5)H(3)N)](2-) (2) the corresponding trivalent complexes [[2,6-[[2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N-C=CH(2)](2)(C(5)H(3)N)]Ln (THF)](mu-Cl)(2)[Li(THF)(2)].0.5 (hexane) [Ln = Nd (3), La (4)] were obtained and characterized. Reduction of these species afforded electron transfer to the ligand system which gave ligand dimerization via C-C bond formation through one of the two ene-amido functions of each molecule. The resulting dinuclear [[([2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N-C=(CH(2)))(C(5)H(3)N)([2,6-(i-Pr)(2)C(6)H(5)]N=CCH(2))]Ln(THF)(2)(mu-Cl)[Li(THF)(3)])(2).2(THF) [Ln = Nd (5), La (6)] were isolated and characterized.     

Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity of alkali metal-free bent-sandwiched lanthanide amido complexes with calix[4]-pyrrolyl ligands

Simple silylamine elimination reactions of calix[4]-pyrrole [R(2)C(C(4)H(2)NH)](4) (R = Me (1), {-(CH(2))(5)-}(0.5) (2)) with 2 equiv. of [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(μ-Cl)Li(THF)(3) (Ln = Nd, Sm, Dy) in reflux toluene, afforded the novel dinuclear alkali metal-free trivalent lanthanide amido complexes (η(5):η(1):η(5):η(1)-R(8)-calix[4]-pyrrolyl){LnN(SiMe(3))(2)}(2) (R = Me, Ln = Nd (3), Sm (4), Dy (5); R = {-(CH(2))(5)-}(0.5), Ln = Nd (6), Sm(7)). The complexes were fully characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic analyses and single-crystal X-ray analyses. X-ray diffraction studies showed that each lanthanide metal was supported by bispyrrolyl anions in an η(5) fashion and along with three nitrogen atoms from N(SiMe(3))(2) and two other pyrroyl rings in η(1) modes formed the novel bent-sandwiched lanthanide amido bridged trivalent lanthanide amido complexes, similar to ansa-cyclopentadienyl ligand-supported lanthanide amides with respect to each metal center. The catalytic activities of these organolanthanide complexes as single component l-lactide polymerization catalysts were studied.     

Soluble molecular compounds with the Mg-O-Al structural motif: a model approach for the fixation of organometallics on a MgO surface

We report a facile route to the molecular compounds with the Mg-O-Al structural motif. The reaction of Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2 (1) with a stoichiometric amount of LAlOH(Me) (2) [L = CH{(CMe)(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)}2] in THF/n-hexane at 0 degrees C results in the formation of the heterobimetallic compound (Me3Si)2NMg(THF)2-O-Al(Me)L (3) in high yield. The similar reaction of 1 equiv of Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2 and 2 equiv of LAlOH(Me) results in the formation of trimetallic compound L(Me)Al-O-Mg(THF)2-O-Al(Me)L (4). Structural analyses of 3 and 4 have been carried out, revealing the presence of the Mg-O-Al motif. A tentative assignment of the Mg-O-Al vibrations has been made and was supported by calculations.