Crystallographic report: Crystal structure of bis(2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenolato‐O) bis(tetrahydrofuran‐O) samarium (N,N‐η2‐azobenzene) diethyl ether solvate

Reaction of divalent Sm(OAr)₂(THF)₃ (Ar = C₆H₂‐tert‐Bu₃‐2,4,6; THF = tetrahydrofuran) with one equivalent of azobenzene in THF and crystallization of the product in diethyl ether afforded the title complex (ArO)₂(THF)₂Sm(η²‐N₂Ph₂)·Et₂O in good yield. In the complex, the N? N bond length for the azobenzene species is lengthened. The two Sm? N bonds are equivalent, and their bond lengths are intermediate between the donor bond and the single bond. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.