Synthesis and characterization of β-diketiminato complexes of antimony (III) halides

Treatment of SbX₃ (X = Br, Cl) with DippnacnacLi (Dippnacnac = [{N(C₆H₃ⁱPr₂2,6)C(Me)}₂CH]⁻) or Mesnacnac (Mesnacnac = [{N(Mes)C(Me)}₂CH]⁻, Mes = 2,4,6, trimethyl benzene) affords different products that are dependent on the stoichiometry of the reaction and the halide precursor. When DippnacnacLi is reacted with SbBr₃, C-H activation of the ligand backbone is observed and an asymmetric, bridged bromide dimer is isolated. In comparison, the reaction of SbCl₃ with MesnacnacLi affords monomeric MesnacnacSbCl₂. The solid-state structures were determined using X-ray crystallography.