Zwitterionic Base‐Stabilized Digermadistannacyclobutadiene and Tetragermacyclobutadiene

The syntheses of a zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene and tetragermacyclobutadiene supported by amidinates and low‐valent germanium amidinate substituents are described. The reaction of the amidinate Ge^I dimer, [LGe:]₂ ( 1 , L=PhC(NtBu)₂), with two equivalents of the amidinate tin(II) chloride, [LSnCl] ( 2 ), and KC₈ in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene, [L₂Ge₂Sn₂L′₂] ( 3 ; L′=LGe:), and the bis(amidinate) tin(II) compound, [L₂Sn:] ( 4 ). Compound 3 can also be prepared by the reaction of 1 with [L^ArSnCl] ( 5 , L^Ar=tBuC(NAr)₂, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) in THF at room temperature. Moreover, the reaction of 1 with the “onio‐substituent transfer” reagent [4‐NMe₂‐C₅H₄NSiMe₃]OTf ( 8 ) in THF and 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized tetragermacyclobutadiene, [L₄Ge₆] ( 9 ), the amidinium triflate, [PhC(NHtBu)₂]OTf ( 10 ), and Me₃SiSiMe₃ ( 11 ). X‐ray structural data and theoretical studies show conclusively that compounds 3 and 9 have a planar and rhombic charge‐separated structure. They are also nonaromatic.     

An amidinate-stabilized germatrisilacyclobutadiene ylide

The synthesis and characterization of new amidinate-stabilized germatrisilacyclobutadiene ylides [L(3)Si(3)GeL'] (L=PhC(NtBu)(2); L'=?L; ?=Ge (3), Si (7)) are described. Compound 3 was prepared by the reaction of [LSi-SiL] (1) with one equivalent of [LGe-GeL] (2) in THF. Compound 7 was synthesized by the reaction of 2 with excess 1 in THF. The bisamidinate germylene [L(2)Ge:] (4) is a by-product in both reactions. Moreover, compound 7 was prepared by the reaction of 3 with one equivalent of 1 in THF. Compounds 3 and 7 have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and theoretical studies. The results show that compounds 3 and 7 are not antiaromatic. The puckered Si(3) Ge four-membered rings in 3 and 7 have a ylide structure, which is stabilized by amidinate ligands and the electron delocalization within the Si(3) Ge four-membered ring.     

An N‐Heterocyclic Silylene‐Stabilized Digermanium(0) Complex

The synthesis of an N‐heterocyclic silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex is described. The reaction of the amidinate‐stabilized silicon(II) amide [LSiN(SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ; L=PhC(NtBu)₂) with GeCl₂?dioxane in toluene afforded the Si^II–Ge^II adduct [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→GeCl₂] ( 2 ). Reaction of the adduct with two equivalents of KC₈ in toluene at room temperature afforded the N‐heterocyclic carbene silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→ Ge?Ge←Si{N(SiMe₃)₂}L] ( 3 ). X‐ray crystallography and theoretical studies show conclusively that the N‐heterocyclic silylenes stabilize the singlet digermanium(0) moiety by a weak synergic donor–acceptor interaction.     

A Silyliumylidene Cation Stabilized by an Amidinate Ligand and 4‐Dimethylaminopyridine

The synthesis and reactivity of a silyliumylidene cation stabilized by an amidinate ligand and 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) are described. The reaction of the amidinate silicon(I) dimer [ L Si:]₂ ( 1 ; L =PhC(NtBu)₂) with one equivalent of N‐trimethylsilyl‐4‐dimethylaminopyridinium triflate [4‐NMe₂C₅H₄NSiMe₃]OTf and two equivalents of DMAP in THF afforded [ L Si(DMAP)]OTf ( 2 ). The ambiphilic character of 2 is demonstrated from its reactivity. Treatment of 2 with 1 in THF afforded the disilylenylsilylium triflate [ L′ ₂( L )Si]OTf ( 3 ; L′ = L Si:) with the displacement of DMAP. The reaction of 2 with [K{HB(iBu)₃}] and elemental sulfur in THF afforded the silylsilylene [ L SiSi(H){(NtBu)₂C(H)Ph}] ( 4 ) and the base‐stabilized silanethionium triflate [ L Si(S)DMAP]OTf ( 5 ), respectively. Compounds 2 , 3 , and 5 have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography.     

Group II Metal Complexes of the Germylidendiide Dianion Radical and Germylidenide Anion

The two‐electron reduction of a Group 14‐element(I) complex [RË?] (E=Ge, R=supporting ligand) to form a novel low‐valent dianion radical with the composition [RË:]^{. 2?} is reported. The reaction of [LGeCl] ( 1 , L=2,6‐(CH?NAr)₂C₆H₃, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with excess calcium in THF at room temperature afforded the germylidenediide dianion radical complex [LGe]^{. 2?}?Ca(THF)₃²⁺ ( 2 ). The reaction proceeds through the formation of the germanium(I) radical [LGe?], which then undergoes a two‐electron reduction with calcium to form 2 . EPR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and theoretical studies show that the germanium center in 2 has two lone pairs of electrons and the radical is delocalized over the germanium‐containing heterocycle. In contrast, the magnesium derivative of the germylidendiide dianion radical is unstable and undergoes dimerization with concurrent dearomatization to form the germylidenide anion complex [C₆H₃‐2‐{C(H)?NAr}Ge‐Mg‐6‐{C(H)‐NAr}]₂ ( 3 ).     

Unexpected Photodegradation of a Phosphaketenyl‐Substituted Germyliumylidene Borate Complex

The first zwitterionic borata‐bis(NHC)‐stabilized phosphaketenyl germyliumylidene [(L₂(O=C=P)Ge:] 2 (L₂=(p ‐tolyl)₂B[1‐(1‐adamantyl)‐3‐yl‐2‐ylidene]₂) has been synthesized by salt‐metathesis reaction of [L₂(Cl)Ge:] 1 with sodium phosphaethynolate [(dioxane)_n NaOCP]. Unexpectedly, its exposure to UV light affords, after reductive elimination of the entire PCO group, the unprecedented [L₂Ge‐GeL₂] complex 3 in 54 % yields bearing the Ge₂²⁺ ion with Ge in the oxidation state +1. In addition, the 1,3‐digermylium‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene [L₂Ge(μ‐P)₂GeL₂] 4 and bis(germyliumylidenyl)‐substituted diphosphene [(L₂Ge‐P=P‐GeL₂)] 5 could also be obtained in moderate yields. The formation of 3 – 5 and their electronic structures have been elucidated with DFT calculations.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Singlet Delocalized 2,4‐Diimino‐1,3‐disilacyclobutanediyl and a Silylenylsilaimine

The synthesis and characterization of a singlet delocalized 2,4‐diimino‐1,3‐disilacyclobutanediyl, [LSi(μ‐CNAr)₂SiL] ( 2 , L: PhC(NtBu)₂, Ar: 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃), and a silylenylsilaimine, [LSi(?NAr)? SiL] ( 3 ), are described. The reaction of three equivalents of the disilylene [LSi? SiL] ( 1 ) with two equivalents of ArN?C?NAr in toluene at room temperature for 12 h afforded [LSi(μ‐CNAr)₂SiL] ( 2 ) and [LSi(?NAr)? SiL] ( 3 ) in a ratio of 1:2. Compounds 2 and 3 have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Compound 2 was also investigated by theoretical studies. The results show that compound 2 possesses singlet biradicaloid character with an extensive electronic delocalization throughout the Si₂C₂ four‐membered ring and exocyclic C?N bonds. Compound 3 is the first example of a silylenylsilaimine, which contains a low‐valent silicon center and a silaimine substituent. A mechanism for the formation of 2 and 3 is also proposed.     

Thallium(I), Silver(I), and Mixed Thallium(I)/Copper(I) Clusters with Bridging {Me2Si(N‐C6H4‐2‐SPh)2}2– Ligands

The S‐functionalized aminosilane Me₂Si(NH‐C₆H₄‐2‐SPh)₂ (H₂L) ( 1 ) was prepared from dichlorodimethylsilane and lithiated 2‐(phenylthio)aniline. Treatment of compound 1 with two equivalents of n‐butyllithium led to the dilithium derivative Li₂L, which was used in subsequent reactions with MCl (M = Tl, Cu, Ag) to prepare the complexes [Tl₂L] ( 2 ), [Cu₂Tl₂L₂] · 2THF ( 3a ), [Cu₂Tl₂L₂(THF)₂] ( 3b ), and [Ag₄L₂(THT)₂] ( 4 ) (THT = tetrahydrothiophene). Compound 2 consists of two thallium atoms, which are connected by a L^2– ligand to give a puckered Tl₂N₂ ring with Tl–N distances of 255(1)–268(1) pm. Compounds 3a and 3b are heterobimetallic complexes, which are based on [Cu₂L₂]^2– cores featuring a Cu₂N₄Si₂ ring with linearly coordinated copper atoms [Cu–N: 190.7(3)–192.5(3) pm] and two peripherally attached Tl atoms [Tl–N: 272.7(3)–281.9(3) pm]. The molecular structure of the tetranuclear silver(I) complex 4 is closely related to the structure of compounds 3a and 3b by replacement of the Cu and Tl atoms with Ag atoms. The Ag–N distances are 217.5(3)–245.7(3) pm.     

Synthesis and Properties of the Alkyl/Aryl Germanium Dioximates Containing Ge─O Bond: Stability Factors—A Theoretical Approach

The reactions of R₂GeCl₂ and R₃GeCl with 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone dioxime in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios to form a series of organogermanium complexes of the general formula R₂GeL and (R₃Ge)₂L [R=Me, Et, Ph] have been investigated. The physical and spectral properties of all derivatives are described. In addition, the nature of Ge─O bond has been studied by using the DFT/B3LYP method.     

From a Phosphaketenyl‐Functionalized Germylene to 1,3‐Digerma‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene

The first 4π‐electron resonance‐stabilized 1,3‐digerma‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene [L^H₂Ge₂P₂] 4 (L^H=CH[CHNDipp]₂ Dipp=2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) with four‐coordinate germanium supported by a β‐diketiminate ligand and two‐coordinate phosphorus atoms has been synthesized from the unprecedented phosphaketenyl‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic germylene [L^HGe‐P=C=O] 2 a prepared by salt‐metathesis reaction of sodium phosphaethynolate (P≡C?ONa) with the corresponding chlorogermylene [L^HGeCl] 1 a . Under UV/Vis light irradiation at ambient temperature, release of CO from the P=C=O group of 2 a leads to the elusive germanium–phosphorus triply bonded species [L^HGe≡P] 3 a , which dimerizes spontaneously to yield black crystals of 4 as isolable product in 67 % yield. Notably, release of CO from the bulkier substituted [L^tBuGe‐P=C=O] 2 b (L^tBu=CH[C(^tBu)N‐Dipp]₂) furnishes, under concomitant extrusion of the diimine [Dipp‐NC(^tBu)]₂, the bis‐N,P‐heterocyclic germylene [DippNC(^tBu)C(H)PGe]₂ 5 .     

Diverse Reactivity of bis(Silylene) and bis(Germylene) [LE−EL (E=Si and Ge: L=PhC(NtBu)2)] in the Oxidative Activation of C−F Bond: Si−Si Bond is Retained While the Ge−Ge Bond Is Cleaved

Herein we report the reactions of 3,4,5,6-tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile ( 1 ) with bis(silylene) and bis(germylene) LE−EL [E=Si ( 2 ) and Ge( 3 ): L=PhC(N^tBu)₂)]. The reaction of LSi−SiL (L=PhC(N^tBu)₂) ( 2 ) with two equivalents of 1 resulted in an unprecedented oxidative addition of a C−F bond of 1 leading to disilicon(III) fluoride {L(4-C₈F₃N)FSi−SiF(4-C₈F₃N)L}( 4 ), wherein the Si−Si single bond was retained. In contrast, the reaction of LGe−GeL (L=PhC(N^tBu)₂) ( 3 ) with one equivalent of 1 resulted in the oxidative cleavage of Ge−Ge bond leading to L(4-C₈F₃N₂)Ge ( 5 ) and LGeF ( 6 ). All three compounds ( 4 – 6 ) were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, EI-MS spectrometry, and elemental analysis. X-ray single-crystal structure determination of compound 4 unequivocally established that the Si^III−Si^III bond remains uncleaved.     

Some addition reactions of bisgermavinylidene

The reaction of bisgermavinylidene [(Me₃SiN?PPh₂)₂C?Ge→Ge?C(PPh₂?NSiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) with AdNCO (Ad = Adamantyl) afforded the [2 + 2] cycloadditon product [(Me₃SiN?PPh₂)₂CGeC(O) NAd] ( 2 ). Similar reaction of 1 with Ph₃SiOH in tetrahydrofuran (THF) yielded the base‐stabilized germanium(II) triphenylsiloxide [H₂C(PPh₂?NSiMe₃)₂Ge(OSiPh₃)₂] ( 3 ). The results suggested that reactive germavinylidene may exist in solution and is capable of forming addition reaction products. The X‐ray structures of 2 and 3 were determined. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthese und Struktur von Sr6P8‐Polyedern in gemischten Phosphaniden/Phosphandiiden des Strontiums

Synthesis and Structures of Sr₆P₈ Polyhedra in Mixed Phosphanides/Phosphandiides of Strontium The strontiation of H₂PSiⁱPr₃ ( 1 ) with (THF)₂Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in THF yields colorless tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)strontium bis(triisopropylsilylphosphanide) ( 3 ). The central alkaline earth metal atom has an octahedral environment with the phosphanide ligands in trans position. The homometalation in toluene leads to the elimination of 1 and THF. Cooling of this solution gives crystals of colorless tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)hexastrontium‐tetrakis(triisopropylsilylphosphanide)‐tetrakis(triisopropylsilylphosphandiide) ( 4 ). The equimolar reaction of H₂PSi^tBu₃ ( 2 ) with (THF)₂Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in toluene yields in the first step heteroleptic dimeric {(Me₃Si)₂NSr(THF)₂[P(H)Si^tBu₃]}₂ ( 5 )₂. This compounds monomerizes in THF to (Me₃Si)₂N–Sr(THF)₄[P(H)Si^tBu₃] ( 6 ), which forms an equilibrium with the homoleptic dismutation products (THF)₂Sr[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ and (THF)₄Sr[P(H)Si^tBu₃]₂ ( 7 ). Compound ( 5 )₂ undergoes a intramolecular strontiation and bis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)hexastrontium‐tetrakis[tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphanide]‐tetrakis[tri(tert‐butyl)silylphosphandiide] ( 8 ) is isolated. The central Sr₆P₈‐polyhedra of 4 and 8 are very similar.     

Building up Strain in One Step: Synthesis of an Edge‐Fused Double Silacyclobutene from an Extensively Trichlorosilylated Butadiene Dianion

The exhaustive trichlorosilylation of hexachloro‐1,3‐butadiene was achieved in one step by using a mixture of Si₂Cl₆ and [nBu₄N]Cl (7:2 equiv) as the silylation reagent. The corresponding butadiene dianion salt [nBu₄N]₂[ 1 ] was isolated in 36 % yield after recrystallization. The negative charges of [ 1 ]^2? are mainly delocalized across its two carbanionic (Cl₃Si)₂C termini (α‐effect of silicon) such that the central bond possesses largely C=C double‐bond character. Upon treatment with 4 equiv of HCl, [ 1 ]^2? is converted into neutral 1,2,3,4‐tetrakis(trichlorosilyl)but‐2‐ene, 3 . The Cl^? acceptor AlCl₃, induces a twofold ring‐closure reaction of [ 1 ]^2? to form a six‐membered bicycle 4 in which two silacyclobutene rings are fused along a shared C=C double bond (84 %). Compound 4 , which was structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography, undergoes partial ring opening to a monocyclic silacyclobutene 2 in the presence of HCl, but is thermally stable up to at least 180 °C.     

Less Is More: Three‐Coordinate C,N‐Chelated Distannynes and Digermynes

We report here the synthesis of new C,N‐chelated chlorostannylenes and germylenes L³MCl (M=Sn( 1 ), Ge ( 2 )) and L⁴MCl (M=Sn( 3 ), Ge ( 4 )) containing sterically demanding C,N‐chelating ligands L^{3, 4} (L³=[2,4‐di‐tBu‐6‐(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₂]^?_; L⁴=[2,4‐di‐tBu‐6‐{(C₆H₃‐2′,6′‐iPr₂)N=CH}C₆H₂]^?). Reductions of 1 – 4 yielded three‐coordinate C,N‐chelated distannynes and digermynes [L^{3, 4}M ]₂ for the first time ( 5 : L³, M=Sn, 6 : L³, M=Ge, 7 : L⁴, M=Sn, 8 : L⁴, M=Ge). For comparison, the four‐coordinate distannyne [L⁵Sn]₂ ( 10 ) stabilized by N,C,N‐chelate L⁵ (L⁵=[2,6‐{(C₆H₃‐2′,6′‐Me₂)N?CH}₂C₆H₃]^?) was prepared by the reduction of chlorostannylene L⁵SnCl ( 9 ). Hence, we highlight the role of donor‐driven stabilization of tetrynes. Compounds 1 – 10 were characterized by means of elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and in the case of 1 , 2 , 5 – 7 , and 10 , also by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The bonding situation in either three‐ or four‐coordinate distannynes 5 , 7 , and 10 was evaluated by DFT calculations. DFT calculations were also used to compare the nature of the metal–metal bond in three‐coordinate C,N‐chelating distannyne [L³Sn]₂ ( 5 ) and related digermyme [L³Ge]₂ ( 6 ).     

An Air‐Stable Heterobimetallic Si2M2 Tetrahedral Cluster

Air‐ and moisture‐stable heterobimetallic tetrahedral clusters [Cp(CO)₂MSiR]₂ (M=Mo or W; R=SitBu₃) were isolated from the reaction of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) stabilized silyl(silylidene) metal complexes Cp(CO)₂M=Si(SitBu₃)NHC with a mild Lewis acid (BPh₃). Alternatively, treatment of the NHC‐stabilized silylidene complex Cp(CO)₂W=Si(SitBu₃)NHC with stronger Lewis acids such as AlCl₃ or B(C₆F₅)₃ resulted in the reversible coordination of the Lewis acid to one of the carbonyl ligands. Computational investigations revealed that the dimerization of the intermediate metal silylidyne (M≡Si) complex to a tetrahedral cluster instead of a planar four‐membered ring is due to steric bulk.     

Spontaneous Double Hydrometallation Induced by N→M Coordination in Organometallic Hydrides of Group 14 Elements

Our attempts to synthesise N→M intramolecularly coordinated diorganometallic hydrides L₂MH₂ [M=Si ( 4 ), Ge ( 5 ), Sn ( 6 )] containing the CH=N imine group (in which L is C,N‐chelating ligand {2‐[(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)N=CH]C₆H₄}^?) yielded 1,1′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,2′‐spriobi[benzo[c][1,2]azasilole] ( 7 ), 1,1′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,2′‐spriobi[benzo[c][1,2]azagermole] ( 8 ) and C,N‐chelated homoleptic stannylene L₂Sn ( 10 ), respectively. Compounds 7 and 8 are an outcome of a spontaneous double hydrometallation of the two CH=N imine moieties induced by N→M intramolecular coordination (M=Si, Ge) in the absence of any catalyst. In contrast, the diorganotin hydride L₂SnH₂ ( 6 ) is redox‐unstable and the reduction of the tin centre with the elimination of H₂ provided the C,N‐chelated homoleptic stannylene L₂Sn ( 10 ). Compounds 7 and 8 were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Because the proposed N→M intramolecularly coordinated diorganometallic hydrides L₂MH₂ [M=Si ( 4 ), Ge ( 5 ), Sn ( 6 )] revealed two different types of reduction reactions, DFT calculations were performed to gain an insight into the structures and bonding of the non‐isolable diorganometallic hydrides as well as the products of their subsequent reactions. Furthermore, the thermodynamic profiles of the different reaction pathways with respect to the central metal atom were also investigated.     

Ab initio Study of Mechanism of Cycloaddition Reaction between Germylene Silylene (H2GeSi:) and Acetone

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet germylene silylene (H₂GeSi:) and acetone has been investigated with CCSD(T)/6‐31G*//MP2/6‐31G* method. From the potential energy profile, we could predict that the reaction has two competitive dominant reaction channels. The present rule of this reaction is that the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of the two (‐bonds in germylene silylene and acetone generates a four‐membered ring silylene with Ge. Because of the unsaturated property of Si atom in the four‐membered ring silylene with Ge, it could further react with acetone, resulting in the generation of a bis‐heterocyclic compound with Si and Ge. Simultaneously, the ring strain of the four‐membered ring silylene with Ge makes it isomerize to a twisted four‐membered ring product.     

Aluminium(III) amidinates formed from reactions of `AlCl' with lithium amidinates

The disproportionation of AlCl(THF)_n (THF is tetrahydrofuran) in the presence of lithium amidinate species gives aluminium(III) amidinate complexes with partial or full chloride substitution. Three aluminium amidinate complexes formed during the reaction between aluminium monochloride and lithium amidinates are presented. The homoleptic complex tris(N,N′‐diisopropylbenzimidamido)aluminium(III), [Al(C₁₃H₁₉N₂)₃] or Al{PhC[N(i‐Pr)]₂}₃, (I), crystallizes from the same solution as the heteroleptic complex chloridobis(N,N′‐diisopropylbenzimidamido)aluminium(III), [Al(C₁₃H₁₉N₂)₂Cl] or Al{PhC[N(i‐Pr)]₂}₂Cl, (II). Both have two crystallographically independent molecules per asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2) and (I) shows disorder in four of its N(i‐Pr) groups. Changing the ligand substituent to the bulkier cyclohexyl allows the isolation of the partial THF solvate chloridobis(N,N′‐dicyclohexylbenzimidamido)aluminium(III) tetrahydrofuran 0.675‐solvate, [Al(C₁₉H₂₇N₂)₂Cl]·0.675C₄H₈O or Al[PhC(NCy)₂]₂Cl·0.675THF, (III). Despite having a twofold rotation axis running through its Al and Cl atoms, (III) has a similar molecular structure to that of (II).     

Phenylene‐bridged β‐Ketoiminate Dilanthanide Aryloxides: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Activity for Addition of Amines to Carbodiimides

The synthesis and reactivity of a series of bimetallic lanthanide aryloxides stabilized by a p‐phenylene‐bridged bis(β‐ketoiminate) ligand is presented. The reaction of 1,4‐diaminobenzene with acetylacetone in a 1:2.5 molar ratio in absolute ethanol gave the compound 1,4‐bis(4‐imino‐2‐pentanone)benzene ( 1 ) (LH₂) in high yield. Compound 1 reacted with (ArO)₃Ln(THF)₂ (ArO = 2,6‐tBu₂‐4‐MeC₆H₂O, THF = tetrahydrofuran) in a 1:2 molar ratio in THF, after workup, to give the corresponding dilanthanide aryloxides L[Ln(OAr)₂(THF)]₂ [Ln = Yb ( 2 ), Y ( 3 ), Sm ( 4 ), Nd ( 5 ), La ( 6 )] in high isolated yields. Compound 1 and complexes 2 – 6 were fully characterized, including X‐ray crystal structure analyses for complexes 2 , 3 , 5 , and 6 . Complexes 2 – 6 can be used as efficient pre‐catalysts for catalytic addition of amines to carbodiimides, and the ionic radii of the central metal atoms have a significant effect on the catalytic activity with the increasing sequence of La ( 6 ) < Nd ( 5 ) ≈ Sm ( 4 ) < Y ( 3 ) ≈ Yb ( 2 ). The catalytic addition reaction with 2 showed a good scope of substrates including primary and secondary amines.