Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of rare earth metal amides supported by a diamido ligand with a CH2SiMe2 link

A series of four coordinate rare earth metal amides with general formula ((CH2SiMe2)[(2,6- IPr2C6H3)N]2)LnN(SiMe3)2(THF) [(Ln = Yb(2), Y (3), Dy (4), Sm (5), Nd (6)] containing a diamido ligand (CH2SiMe2)[(2,6-iPr2C6H3)N]2(2-) with a CH2SiMe2 link were synthesized in good yields via reaction of [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln(III)(mu-Cl)Li(THF)3 with the corresponding diamine (CH2SiMe2)[(2,6-iPr2C6H3)NH]2 (1). All compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. Investigation of the catalytic properties of the complexes indicated that all complexes exhibited a high catalytic activity on the cyclotrimerization of aromatic isocyanates, which represents the first example of cyclopentadienyl-free rare earth metal complexes exhibiting a high catalytic activity and a high selectivity on cyclotrimerization of aromatic isocyanates. The temperatures, solvents, catalyst loading, and the rare earth metal effects on the catalytic activities of the complexes were examined.     

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 beta-diketiminate-lanthanide amides and their catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and epsilon-caprolactone

The synthesis and catalytic activity of lanthanide monoamido complexes supported by a beta-diketiminate ligand are described. Donor solvents, such as DME, can cleave the chloro bridges of the dinuclear beta-diketiminate ytterbium dichloride {[(DIPPh)2nacnac]YbCl(mu-Cl)3Yb[(DIPPh)2nacnac](THF)} (1) [(DIPPh)2nacnac = N,N-diisopropylphenyl-2,4-pentanediimine anion] to produce the monomeric complex [(DIPPh)2nacnac]YbCl2(DME) (2) in high isolated yield. Complex 2 is a useful precursor for the synthesis of beta-diketiminate-ytterbium monoamido derivatives. Reaction of complex 2 with 1 equiv of LiNPri2 in THF at room temperature, after crystallization in THF/toluene mixed solvent, gave the anionic beta-diketiminate-ytterbium amido complex [(DIPPh)2nacnac]Yb(NPri2)(mu-Cl)2Li(THF)2 (3), while similar reaction of complex 2 with LiNPh2 produced the neutral complex [(DIPPh)2nacnac]Yb(NPh2)Cl(THF) (4). Recrystallization of complex 3 from toluene solution at elevated temperature led to the neutral beta-diketiminate-lanthanide amido complex [{(DIPPh)2nacnac}Yb(NPri2)(mu-Cl)]2 (5). The reaction medium has a significant effect on the outcome of the reaction. Complex 2 reacted with 1 equiv of LiNPri2 and LiNC5H10 in toluene to produce directly the neutral beta-diketiminate-lanthanide amido complexes 5 and [{(DIPPh)2nacnac}Yb(NC5H10)(THF)(mu-Cl)]2 (6), respectively. These complexes were well characterized, and their crystal structures were determined. Complexes 4-6 exhibited good catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and epsilon-caprolactone.     

Homolysis of the Ln-N (Ln = Yb, Eu) bond. Synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activity of ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes with methoxyethyl functionalized indenyl ligands

The interaction of methoxyethyl functionalized indene compounds (C(9)H(6)-1-R-3-CH(2)CH(2)OMe, R =t-BuNHSiMe(2)(1), Me(3)Si (2), H (3)) with [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3)(Ln=Yb (4), Eu (5)) produced a series of new ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes via tandem silylamine elimination/homolysis of the Ln-N (Ln=Yb, Eu) bond. Treatment of the lanthanide(III) amides [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3)(Ln=Yb (4), Eu (5) with 2 equiv. of, 1,2 and 3, respectively, produced, after workup, the ytterbium(II) complexes [eta5:eta1-Me(2)Si(MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5))(NHBu-t)](2)Yb(II) (6), (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5)SiMe(3))(2)Yb(II) (7), (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(6))(2)Yb(II)(8) and the corresponding europium(II) complexes [eta5:eta1-Me(2)Si(MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5))(NHBu-t)](2)Eu(II)(9), (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5)SiMe(3))(2)Eu(II)(10) and (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(6))(2)Eu(II)(11) in moderate to good yield. In contrast, interaction of the corresponding indene compounds 1, 2 or 3 with the lanthanide amides [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln (Ln = Yb, Eu) was not observed, while addition of 0.5 equiv. of anhydrous LiCl to the corresponding reaction mixture produced, after workup, the corresponding ytterbium(II) or europium(II) complexes. All the new compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes, and were determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. The catalytic activity of all the ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes on MMA polymerization was examined. It was found that all the ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes can function as single-component MMA polymerization catalysts. The temperature, solvent and ligand effects on the catalytic activity were studied.     

Synthesis, Reactivity and Crystal Structure of β—Diketiminate Ytterbium Chlorides

Reaction of anhydrous YbCl3 with 1 equiv, of LLi [L=p-ClPhNC(Me)CH(Me)N(C6H3-2,6-i-Pr2)] in THF at room temperature gave the β-diketiminate lanthanide dichloride LYbCl2(THF)2 (1) in good isolated yield. Similarly reaction of anhydrous YbCl3 with 1 equiv, of LLi, then with 1 equiv, of t-BuCpNa in THF yielded the expected mixed-ligand β-diketiminate ytterbium chloride (t-BuCp)YbL(μ-Cl)2Li(THF)2 (2). Both 1 and 2 were well characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, ^1H NMR spectra, and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Characterization and reactivity of peralkylated LnIIAlIII heterobimetallic complexes

The heterobimetallic peralkylated complexes [Ln(AlR4)2]n (Ln = Sm, Yb; R = Me, Et) were synthesized by a silylamide elimination route from Ln[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2 and an excess of AlR3. The solid-state structure of [Sm(AlEt4)2]n is isomorphous to that of the ytterbium derivative. Polymeric [Yb(AlMe4)2]n was examined by 1H and 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy revealing the presence of distinct bridging methyl groups. The reaction of [Yb(AlMe4)2]n and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) afforded the monomeric donor adduct Yb(AlMe4)2(Phen), while the protonolysis reaction with 2 equiv. C5Me5H (HCp*) yielded a separated ion pair of composition [Cp*Yb(THF)(4)][AlMe(4)]. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data are provided for both ytterbium(II) complexes. Solid-state magnetic measurements (SQUID) were performed on [Sm(AlMe4)2]n, [Sm(AlEt4)2]n, SmI2(THF)2 and Sm[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2 showing high effective magnetic moments 3.67micro(B) < micro(eff) < 4.43micro(B).     

Neutral and ionic aluminum,gallium, and indium compounds carrying two or three terminal ethynyl groups

The syntheses of the ionic compounds [Li(+).2 dioxane (2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N(SiMe(3))Al(C triplebond CSiMe(3))(3))(-)].0.75 dioxane (1), [(Li(+))(2).(dioxane)(7)](0.5) [2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N(SiMe(3))Ga(C triplebond CSiMe(3))(3)(-)].1.5 dioxane (2), and [(Li(+))(2).(dioxane)(7)](0.5) [2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N(SiMe(3))In(C triplebond CSiMe(3))(3)(-)].1.5 dioxane (3) by the reaction of the corresponding organo metal chloride with LiC triplebond CSiMe(3) are reported. The neutral ethynyl compounds Br-Al(C triplebond CtBu)(2).2 THF (4), Cl-Ga(C triplebond CtBu)(2).THF (5), Cl-In(C triplebond CtBu)(2).2 THF (6), Al(C triplebond CtBu)(3).C[N(Me)CMe](2) (7), Ga(C triplebond CtBu)(3).dioxane (8), and In(C triplebond CtBu)(3).NEt(3) (9) have been obtained in good yields from the reaction of AlBr(3), GaCl(3), and InCl(3) with LiC triplebond CtBu in the presence of a Lewis base. Compound 7 is the first heterocyclic carbene substituted ethynyl derivative. Aluminum and gallium compounds with three terminal ethynyl groups Al(C triplebond CPh)(3).NMe(3) (10) and Ga(C triplebond CPh)(3).NMe(3) (11) have been prepared by the reaction of AlH(3).NMe(3) or GaH(3).NMe(3) with three equivalents of phenylethyne. All the above-mentioned compounds have been structurally studied. In compound 1 the lithium ion is coordinated to the three terminal ethynyl groups, whereas in compounds 2 and 3 the lithium is coordinated to the solvent (dioxane). Compound 8 crystallizes as a coordination polymer with dioxane molecules bridging the individual gallium units.     

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.     

Highly atom efficient guanylation of both aromatic and secondary amines catalyzed by simple lanthanide amides

It is demonstrated that the cyclopentadienyl-free simple lanthanide amides [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3)(Ln = La, Sm, Eu, Y, Yb) and Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)]3 (Ln = Y, Yb) are highly efficient catalysts for the guanylation of both aromatic and secondary amines with a high activity under mild conditions. It is found that these catalysts are compatible with a wide range of solvents and substrates.     

Ytterbium and samarium bis(diphosphanylamides): syntheses and structures of lanthanide complexes having two [(Ph2P)2N]- ligands in the coordination sphere

Bis(diphosphanylamide) complexes of the lanthanides have been synthesized. Two approaches to obtain these compounds are shown. Reaction of YbCl3 with a slight excess of [K(THF)n][N(PPh2)2] gives [((Ph2P)2N)2 YbCl(THF)2], which can be further reacted with K(C5Me5) to give the corresponding pentamethylcyclopentadienyl complex [((Ph2P)2N)2Yb(C5Me5)]. In a second approach to bis(diphosphanylamide) complexes of the lanthanides, Na(C(5)H(5)) was treated with SmCl3 to generate [(C5H5)SmCl2(THF)3] in situ. Further reaction with 2 equiv of [K(THF)n][N(PPh2)2] gave the desired complex [((Ph2P)2N)2Sm(C5H5)(THF)].     

Ytterbium amides of linked bis(amidinate): synthesis, molecular structures, and reactivity for the polymerization of L-lactide

The steric effect of an amide group on the synthesis, molecular structures and reactivity of ytterbium amides supported by linked bis(amidinate) L (L = [Me3SiNC(Ph)N(CH2)3NC(Ph)NSiMe3]) is reported. Reaction of LYbCl(THF)2 with equimolar NaNHAr' and NaNHAr (Ar' = 2,6-Me2C6H3; Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3), respectively, gave the corresponding monometallic amide complexes LYb(NHAr')(DME) 1 and LYb(NHAr)(DME) 2, in which the linked bis(amidinate) is coordinated to the metal center as a chelating ligand. The similar reaction with NaN(SiMe3)2 afforded a bimetallic amide complex (TMS)2NYb(L)2YbN(TMS)2 3 formed through the rearrangement reaction of L induced by the bulky N(SiMe3)2 group. In complex 3 the two linked bis(amidinate)s act as bridging ancillary ligands to link two YbN(TMS)2 species in one molecule. The definite molecular structures of 1-3 were provided by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Complexes 1-3 are efficient initiators for the polymerization of L-lactide, and their catalytic performance is highly dependent on the amido groups and molecular structures. The polymerizations initiated by complexes 1 and 2 proceeded in a living fashion as evidenced by the narrow polydispersities of the resulting polymers, together with the linear natures of the number average molecular weight versus conversion plots, while the polymerization system with complex 3 provided polymers with rather broad molecular weight distributions.     

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.     

Cannizzaro-type disproportionation of aromatic aldehydes to amides and alcohols by using either a stoichiometric amount or a catalytic amount of lanthanide compounds

Aromatic aldehydes can be directly converted to the corresponding amides and alcohols in good to excellent yields by the treatment of aromatic aldehydes with lithium amide LiN(SiMe3)2 in the presence of catalytic lanthanide chlorides LnCl3 or by the treatment of aromatic aldehydes with a stoichiometric amount of lanthanide amides [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)3 at ambient temperature. The effects of solvents, substitutents on the phenyl ring, and lanthanide metals on the reaction have been examined. The mechanism of the disproportionation reaction was proposed based on the experimental results.     

Synthesis and characterization of heterobimetallic oxo-bridged aluminum-rare earth metal complexes

Reaction of the aluminum hydroxide LAl(OH)[C(Ph)CH(Ph)] (1, L = HC[(CMe)(NAr)](2), Ar = 2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)) with Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(3)(THF)(2) yielded the oxo-bridged heterobimetallic yttrium dialkyl complex LAl[C(Ph)CH(Ph)](μ-O)Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)(2) (2). Alkane elimination reaction of 2 with 2-(imino)pyrrole [NN]H ([NN]H = 2-(ArN═CH)-5-tBuC(4)H(2)NH) afforded the yttrium monoalkyl complex LAl[C(Ph)CH(Ph)] (μ-O)Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))[NN](THF)(2) (5). Alternatively, 5 can be prepared in high yield by reaction of 1 with [NN]Y(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2)(THF)(2) (3). The analogous samarium alkyl complex LAl[C(Ph)CH(Ph)](μ-O)Sm(CH(2)SiMe(3))[NN](THF)(2) (6) was prepared similarly. Reactions of 5 and 6 with 1 equiv of iPrOH yielded the corresponding alkoxyl complexes 7 and 8, respectively. The molecular structures of 3, 6, and 8 have been determined by X-ray single-crystal analysis. Complexes 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 have been investigated as lactide polymerization initiators. The heterobimetallic alkoxyl 8 is highly active to yield high molecular weight (M(n) = 6.91 × 10(4)) polylactides with over 91% conversion at the lactide-to-initiator molar ratio of 2000.     

Uranium (III) scorpionates: synthesis and structure of [(TpMe2)2U[N(C6H5)2]] and [(TpMe2)2U[N(SiMe3)2]

Reaction of [(Tp(Me)2)(2)UI] with KNR(2) (R = C(6)H(5), SiMe(3)) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the monomeric trivalent actinide amide complexes [(Tp(Me)2)(2)U[N(C(6)H(5))(2)]], 1, and [(Tp(Me)2)(2)U[N(SiMe(3))(2)]], 2. The complexes have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and their structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. In the solid state 1 and 2 exhibit distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries. The U-NR(2) bond lengths in both complexes are the same but in complex 2 the greater steric demands of the N(SiMe(3))(2) ligand led to elongated U-N(pz) bonds, especially those opposite the amido ligand.     

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.     

Expanding dinitrogen reduction chemistry to trivalent lanthanides via the LnZ3/alkali metal reduction system: evaluation of the generality of forming Ln2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) complexes via LnZ3/K

The Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/K dinitrogen reduction system, which mimicks the reactions of the highly reducing divalent ions Tm(II), Dy(II), and Nd(II), has been explored with the entire lanthanide series and uranium to examine its generality and to correlate the observed reactivity with accessibility of divalent oxidation states. The Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/K reduction of dinitrogen provides access from readily available starting materials to the formerly rare class of M(2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)) complexes, [[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Ln](2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-N(2)), 1, that had previously been made only from TmI(2), DyI(2), and NdI(2) in the presence of KN(SiMe(3))(2). This LnZ(3)/alkali metal reduction system provides crystallographically characterizable examples of 1 for Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Y, Tm, and Lu. Sodium can be used as the alkali metal as well as potassium. These compounds have NN distances in the 1.258(3) to 1.318(5) A range consistent with formation of an (N=N)(2)(-) moiety. Isolation of 1 with this selection of metals demonstrates that the Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/alkali metal reaction can mimic divalent lanthanide reduction chemistry with metals that have calculated Ln(III)/Ln(II) reduction potentials ranging from -2.3 to -3.9 V vs NHE. In the case of Ln = Sm, which has an analogous Ln(III)/Ln(II) potential of -1.55 V, reduction to the stable divalent tris(amide) complex, K[Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)], is observed instead of dinitrogen reduction. When the metal is La, Ce, Pr, or U, the first crystallographically characterized examples of the tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] anions, [M[N(SiMe(3))(2)](4)](-), are isolated as THF-solvated potassium or sodium salts. The implications of the LnZ(3)/alkali metal reduction chemistry on the mechanism of dinitrogen reduction and on reductive lanthanide chemistry in general are discussed.     

Two-coordinate d9 complexes. synthesis and oxidation of NHC nickel(I) amides

Reaction of the d9-d9 Ni(I) monochloride dimer, [(IPr)Ni(mu-Cl)]2 (1), with NaN(SiMe3)2 and LiNHAr (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) gives the novel monomeric, 2-coordinate Ni(I) complexes (IPr)Ni{N(SiMe3)2} (2) and (IPr)Ni(NHAr) (3). Reaction of 2 with Cp2Fe+ results in its 1-e- oxidation followed by beta-Me elimination to give a base-stabilized iminosilane complex [(IPr)Ni(CH3){kappa1-N(SiMe3)=SiMe2.Et2O}][BArF4] (6). Oxidation of 3 gives [(IPr)Ni(eta3-NHAr)(THF)][BArF4] (4), which upon loss of THF affords dimeric [(IPr)Ni(N,eta3:NHC6iPr2H3)]2[BArF4]2 (5).     

Reactions of hypersilyl potassium with rare-earth metal bis(trimethylsilylamides): addition versus peripheral deprotonation

The scope of hypersilyl potassium, KHyp [Hyp = Si(SiMe3)3], as a silylation or deprotonation agent for some rare-earth bis(trimethylsilyl)amides has been explored. Thus, the reaction with Yb{N(SiMe3)2}2 affords the addition product [K][YbHyp{N(SiMe3)2}2] (2) in high yield, which contains a three-coordinate ytterbium atom, therefore representing the first example of a lanthanide silyl with a coordination number lower than 6. In contrast, deprotonation on the periphery is observed with the tris(amides) Ln{N(SiMe3)2}3 (Ln = Y, Yb) and compounds of the type [K][CH2Si(Me)2N(SiMe3)Ln{N(SiMe3)2}2] (Ln = Y (3), Yb (4)) are isolated. Crystallization of 3 from a mixture of benzene and heptane afforded the bis(benzene) solvate [(C6H6)2K][CH2Si(Me)2N(SiMe3)Y{N(SiMe3)2}2] (3a). The reaction between the strong bases nBuLi/tetramethylenediamine (TMEDA) or tBuLi with Y{N(SiMe3)2}3 or Yb{N(SiMe3)2}3 yielded the deprotonation product [(tmeda)Li][CH2Si(Me)2N(SiMe3)Y{N(SiMe3)2}2] (6) and the reduction product [LiYb{N(SiMe3)2}3] (7), respectively. Instead of the expected bimetallic product, the reaction between YbI(2) and 2 equiv of 3 gave the neutral complex [Y{CH2Si(Me)2N(SiMe3)}{N(SiMe3)2}(thf)] (8) in good yield. The compounds have been characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography and for selected species by 1H, 13C, 29Si, and 171Yb NMR spectroscopy. For 3a and 4, the nature of the bonding between the carbanionic centers and the lanthanide and potassium cations was studied by density functional theory calculations.     

Protonation of a lanthanum phosphide-alkyl occurs at the P-La not the C-La bond: isolation of a cationic lanthanum alkyl complex

Protonation of the heteroleptic, cyclometalated lanthanum phosphide complex [((Me3Si)2CH)(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)P]La(THF)[P(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)(CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2CH2))] with [Et3NH][BPh4] yields the cationic alkyllanthanum complex [(THF)4La[P(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)(CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2CH2))]][BPh4].