Two Sterically Encumbered 1,3,2‐Dioxaphospholanes – Reactions,Comparison of Crystal Structures and Computational Explanations

3,4,5,6‐Tetrachlorobenzo‐3‐(2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,2‐dioxaphospholane ( 2 ) and benzo‐3‐(2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,2‐dioxaphospholane ( 4 ), in which the reactive P^III‐center lies close to the sterically demanding Mes* group (Mes* = 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl), were prepared from Mes*–Br and the corresponding P‐chloro‐phospholane. Compounds 2 and 4 reacted with various oxidants, azides, MeSO₃CF₃ or [(tht)AuCl] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) to give the expected products. All crystal structures of the products display a strongly distorted Mes* system with a boat conformation of the phenyl ring and appreciable out‐of‐plane deviations of phosphorus and the ortho‐tert‐butyl groups to opposite sides of the ring. Quantum chemical calculations at the DFT (density functional theory) level of theory were used in order to discriminate between intra‐ and intermolecular forces, which are responsible for these distortions.     

Attempt to Synthesize Hindered 2,4,6‐Tri‐Aryloxy‐s‐Triazines: Bis(2,4‐di‐tert‐Butylphenyl) Carbonate – Crystal Structure

Some less hindered 2,4,6‐tri‐aryloxy‐s‐triazines were synthesized through the reaction of the corresponding phenols as a starting materials with cyanogen bromide (BrCN) to obtain the corresponding arylcyanates and then trimerized. Unexpectedly, 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1‐cyanatobenzene derived from 2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenol did not trimerize but, indeed, yielded bis(2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl) carbonate. The structures of 2,4,6‐tri‐aryloxy‐s‐triazines and bis(2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl) carbonate were characterized by means of IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Also the structure of the latter compound was studied by X‐ray crystallography.     

Synthesis of Peripherally Nitrated,Aminated, and Arylaminated Subporphyrins

2‐Nitro‐5,10,15‐tri(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)subporphyrin 2 was prepared by the nitration of 5,10,15‐tri(4‐tert‐ butylphenyl)subporphyrin 1a with five equivalents of Cu(NO₃)₂ ? 5 H₂O in a mixed EtOAc/Ac₂O solution and was reduced into 2‐amino‐5,10,15‐tri(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)subporphyrin 3 . Bromination of 5,10,15‐triphenylsubporphyrin 1b with 1.5 equivalents of N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) gave 2‐bromo‐5,10,15‐triphenylsubporphyrin, which was converted into various 2‐arylamino‐5,10,15‐triphenylsubporphyrins ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d ) and 2‐benzamido‐5,10,15‐triphenylsubporphyrin 5 through Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions. These molecules constitute the first examples of mono‐β‐substituted subporphyrins. These subporphyrins exhibit significantly perturbed optical and electrochemical properties, which reflect a large influence of the peripherally attached substituents on the electronic networks of subporphyrins.     

2,4,6-Tri-tert.butylphenyl-substituierte Silane

2,4,6-Tri-tert.butylphenyl Substituted Silanes 2,4,6-Tri-tert.butylphenyl lithium reacts with trimethoxysilane, triethoxysilane, and triphenoxysilane to give the dialkoxy- or diphenoxy-(2,4,6-tri-tert.butylphenyl)-silanes Ar? SiH(OR¹)₂ 3 ? 5 (Ar = 2,4,6-tri.tert.butylphenyl, R¹ = Me, Et, Ph). Interaction of methyl lithium or n-butyl lithium with 3 – 5 leads under partial or complete substitution of the OR¹-functions to the silanes Ar? SiH(OR¹)R² 7 – 11 and Ar? SiHR₂² 12 and 13 (R² = Me, Bu). Reaction of 3 with lithium tert.butul-amide gives tert.butylamino-methoxy-(2,4,6-tri-tert.butylphenyl)-silane 14 . 5 is reduced by LiAlH₄ to 2,4,6-tri-tert.butylphenyl-silane 6 . The reaction of 3 with antimony trifluoride results in formation of 2,4,6-tri-tert.butylphenyl trifluorosilane 2 . Attempts to replace the alkoxy or phenoxy groups in 3 – 5 by chlorine led under silion carbon bond cleavage to 1,3,5-tri-tert.butylbenzene.     

Catenation of 1,3‐Diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyl Units Having 2,4,6‐Tri‐tert‐butylphenyl Protecting Groups and a P‐sec‐Butyl Group in the Ring

Two and three stable 1‐sec‐butyl‐2,4‐bis(2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3‐diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyl units were catenated to construct multi‐biradical derivatives by utilizing 1,3‐di‐, 1,4‐di‐, and 1,3,5‐trimethylenebenzenes as bridging groups, respectively. UV/Vis spectroscopic and cyclovoltammetric (CV) properties of the multi‐biradicals indicate a non‐conjugative interaction between the concatenated biradical units.     

A Boryl‐Substituted Diphosphene: Synthesis,Structure, and Reaction with n‐Butyllithium To Form a Stabilized Adduct by pπ‐pπ Interaction

A boryl‐substituted diphosphene was synthesized through the nucleophilic borylation of PCl₃ with a borylzinc reagent, followed by a reduction with Mg. A combined analysis of the resulting diboryldiphosphene by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, DFT calculations, and UV/Vis spectroscopy revealed a σ‐electron‐donating effect for the boryl substituent that was slightly weaker than that of the 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl (Mes*) ligand. The reaction of this diboryldiphosphene with ⁿBuLi afforded a boryl‐substituted phosphinophosphide that was, in comparison with the thermally unstable Mes*‐substituted diaryldiphosphene, stabilized by a π‐electron‐accepting effect of the boryl substituent.     

A Boryl‐Substituted Diphosphene: Synthesis,Structure, and Reaction with n‐Butyllithium To Form a Stabilized Adduct by pπ‐pπ Interaction

A boryl‐substituted diphosphene was synthesized through the nucleophilic borylation of PCl₃ with a borylzinc reagent, followed by a reduction with Mg. A combined analysis of the resulting diboryldiphosphene by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, DFT calculations, and UV/Vis spectroscopy revealed a σ‐electron‐donating effect for the boryl substituent that was slightly weaker than that of the 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl (Mes*) ligand. The reaction of this diboryldiphosphene with ⁿBuLi afforded a boryl‐substituted phosphinophosphide that was, in comparison with the thermally unstable Mes*‐substituted diaryldiphosphene, stabilized by a π‐electron‐accepting effect of the boryl substituent.     

Redox Non‐Innocence and Isomer‐Specific Oxidative Functionalization of Ruthenium‐Coordinated β‐Ketoiminate

This article deals with isomeric ruthenium complexes [Ru^III(L^R)₂(acac)] (S=1/2) involving unsymmetric β‐ketoiminates (AcNac) (L^R=R‐AcNac, R=H ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), OMe ( 3 ); acac=acetylacetonate) [R=para‐substituents (H, Cl, OMe) of N‐bearing aryl group]. The isomeric identities of the complexes, cct (cis‐cis‐trans, blue, a ), ctc (cis‐trans‐cis, green, b ) and ccc (cis‐cis‐cis_, pink, c ) with respect to oxygen (acac), oxygen (L) and nitrogen (L) donors, respectively, were authenticated by their single‐crystal X‐ray structures and spectroscopic/electrochemical features. One‐electron reversible oxidation and reduction processes of 1 – 3 led to the electronic formulations of [Ru^III(L)(L ^? )(acac)]⁺ and [Ru^II(L)₂(acac)]^? for 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ (S=1) and 1^? – 3^? (S=0), respectively. The triplet state of 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ was corroborated by its forbidden weak half‐field signal near g≈4.0 at 4 K, revealing the non‐innocent feature of L. Interestingly, among the three isomeric forms ( a – c in 1 – 3 ), the ctc ( b in 2 b or 3 b ) isomer selectively underwent oxidative functionalization at the central β‐carbon (C?H→C=O) of one of the L ligands in air, leading to the formation of diamagnetic [Ru^II(L)(L ′ )(acac)] (L ′ =diketoimine) in 4 / 4′ . Mechanistic aspects of the oxygenation process of AcNac in 2 b were also explored via kinetic and theoretical studies.     

New Aspects of 1,3‐Diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyls

1,3‐Di(tert‐butyl)‐2,4‐bis[2,4,6‐tri(tert‐butyl)phenyl]‐1,3‐diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyl was formed from [2,4,6‐tri(tert‐butyl)phenyl]phosphaacetylene and t‐BuLi. In addition, the X‐ray diffraction analysis was carried out, together with theoretical calculations of the structure and NMR data.     

2,4,6‐Tri‐tert‐butylphenyl and 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐methylphenyl groups: Look similar,react differently

The crystal structures of molecules with two phosphaalkene groups have been determined. Differences in the stabilization of the PC π‐bond by the 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl and 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐methylphenyl groups were observed. It has been found that lithium supermesityl(trimethylsilyl)phosphide could be a very efficient base to remove a proton from acetonitrile.© 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:662–666, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10083     

Influence of Halogen Substitution in the Ligand Sphere on the Antitumor and Antibacterial Activity of Half‐sandwich Ruthenium(II) Complexes [RuX(η6‐arene)(C5H4N‐2‐CH=N‐Ar)]+

New complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(C₅H₄N‐2‐CH=N–Ar)X]PF₆ [X = Br ( 1 ), I ( 2 ); Ar = 4‐fluorophenyl ( a ), 4‐chlorophenyl ( b ), 4‐bromophenyl ( c ), 4‐iodophenyl ( d ), 2,5‐dichlorophenyl ( e )] were prepared, as well as 3a – 3e (X = Cl) and the new complexes [(η⁶‐arene)RuCl(N‐N)]PF₆ (arene = C₆H₅OCH₂CH₂OH, N‐N = 2,2′‐bipyridine ( 4 ), 2,6‐(dimethylphenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐methylene amine ( 5 ), 2,6‐(diisopropylphenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐methylene amine ( 6 ); arene = p‐cymene, N‐N = 4‐(aminophenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐methylene amine ( 7 )]. X‐ray diffraction studies were performed for 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 2b , 5 , and 7 . Cytotoxicities of 1a – 1d and 2 were established versus human cancer cells epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco‐2) (IC₅₀: 35.8–631.0 μM), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) (IC₅₀: 36.3–128.8.0 μM), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) (IC₅₀: 60.6–439.8 μM), 3a – 3e were tested against HepG2 and Caco‐2, and 4 – 7 were tested against Caco‐2. 1 – 7 were tested against non‐cancerous human epithelial kidney cells. 1 and 2 were more selective towards tumor cells than the anticancer drug 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), but 3a – 3e (X = Cl) were not selective. 1 and 2 had good activity against MCF7, some with lower IC₅₀ than 5‐FU. Complexes with X = Br or I had moderate activity against Caco‐2 and HepG2, but those with Cl were inactive. Antibacterial activities of 1a , 2b , 3a , and 7 were tested against antibacterial susceptible and resistant Gram‐negative and ‐positive bacteria. 1a , 2b , and 3a showed activity against methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MIC = 31–2000 μg · mL^–1).     

Monomeric Magnesium and Calcium Complexes containing the Rigid,Dianionic 1, 2‐Bis[(2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dtb‐BIAN) and 1, 2‐Bis[(2‐biphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (bph‐BIAN) Ligands

The new rigid bidentate nitrogen ligands 1, 2‐bis[(2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene ( 1 ) (dtb‐BIAN) and 1, 2‐bis[(2‐biphenyl)imino]acenaphthene ( 2 ) (bph‐BIAN) have been synthesized by condensation of 1, 2‐acenaphthylenedione with 2, 5‐di‐tert‐butylaniline and 2‐aminobiphenyl, respectively. Reduction of 1 and 2 with magnesium and calcium results in the formation of the monomeric metal complexes [(dtb‐BIAN)Mg(THF)₂] ( 3 ), [(bph‐BIAN)Mg(DME)₂] ( 4 ), and [(bph‐BIAN)Ca(THF)₃] ( 5 ). Compounds 1 — 5 have been characterized by C/H analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra, the structures of 2 , 3 , and 5 have been estimated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Selective synthesis of (3‐ferrocenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)triphenylphosphonium iodide: crystal structure determination of two polymorphs

This work is part of a project studying the reactivity of a new ferrocenyl allylammonium salt, [3‐(trimethylazaniumyl)prop‐1‐en‐1‐yl]ferrocene iodide, (1⁺)·I⁻, with different nucleophiles. With nitrogen‐based nucleophiles, different ferrocenyl allylamine isomers have been synthesized successfully in good yield. Optimization of the basicity of the reaction medium has allowed selection of the best operating conditions to obtain the targeted isomer. In a similar way and in order to introduce phosphorus‐containing functional groups, the reaction of ammonium salt (1⁺)·I⁻ with a phosphorus nucleophile, namely triphenylphosphane, was attempted. It was then possible to isolate single crystals of (3‐ferrocenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)triphenylphosphonium iodide, [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₂₆H₂₃P)]I, which is shown to crystallize in two concomitant polymorphic forms, viz. a triclinic form, (I), in the space group P , and a monoclinic form, (II), in the space group P 2₁/c . In the inter‐ion packing of polymorph (I), the cations form bilayer ribbons via C—H…π and π–π stacking interactions. In polymorph (II), where π–π interactions do not occur, adjacent molecules are joined by C—H…π interactions into a one‐dimensional helical arrangement along the b axis.     

Synthesis of a Molecule with Four Different Adjacent Pnictogens

The synthesis of a molecule containing four adjacent different pnictogens was attempted by conversion of a Group 15 allyl analogue anion [Mes*NAsPMes*]^? (Mes*=2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl) with antimony(III) chloride. A suitable precursor is Mes*N(H)AsPMes* ( 1 ) for which several syntheses were investigated. The anions afforded by deprotonation of Mes*N(H)AsPMes* were found to be labile and, therefore, salts could not be isolated. However, the in situ generated anions could be quenched with SbCl₃, yielding Mes*N(SbCl₂)AsPMes* ( 4 ).     

Two isomorphous ZnII/CoII complexes with tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiol and histamine,and (4‐hydroxymethyl‐1H‐imidazole‐κN)bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato‐κ2O,S)zinc(II)

The complexes [2‐(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl‐κN³)ethylamine‐κN]bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato‐κS)cobalt(II), [Co(C₁₂H₂₇O₃SSi)₂(C₅H₉N₃)], and [2‐(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl‐κN³)ethylamine‐κN]bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato‐κS)zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₂H₂₇O₃SSi)₂(C₅H₉N₃)], are isomorphous. The central Zn^II/Co^II ions are surrounded by two S atoms from the tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolate ligand and by two N atoms from the chelating histamine ligand in a distorted tetrahedral geometry, with two intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the histamine NH₂ groups and tert‐butoxy O atoms. Molecules of the complexes are joined into dimers via two intermolecular bifurcated N—H...(S,O) hydrogen bonds. The Zn^II atom in [(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl‐κN³)methanol]bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato‐κ²O,S)zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₂H₂₇O₃SSi)₂(C₄H₆N₂O)], is five‐coordinated by two O and two S atoms from the O,S‐chelating silanethiolate ligand and by one N atom from (1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)methanol; the hydroxy group forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond with sulfur. Molecules of this complex pack as zigzag chains linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds. These structures provide reference details for cysteine‐ and histidine‐ligated metal centers in proteins.     

Observation of a Metastable P‐Heterocyclic Radical by Muonium Addition to a 1,3‐Diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyl

A 1,3‐diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyl contains a unique unsaturated cyclic unit, and the presence of radical‐type centers have been expected as a source of functionality. This study demonstrates that the P‐heterocyclic singlet biradical captures muonium (Mu=[μ⁺e^?]), the light isotope of a hydrogen radical, to generate an observable P‐heterocyclic paramagnetic species. Investigation of a powder sample of 2,4‐bis(2,4,6‐tri‐t‐butylphenyl)‐1‐t‐butyl‐3‐benzyl‐1,3‐diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyl using muon (avoided) level‐crossing resonance (μLCR) spectroscopy revealed that muonium adds to the cyclic P₂C₂ unit. The muon hyperfine coupling constant (A_μ) indicated that the phosphorus atom bearing the t‐butyl group trapped muonium to provide a metastable P‐heterocyclic radical involving the ylidic MuP(<)=C moiety. The observed regioselective muonium addition correlates the canonical formula of 1,3‐diphosphacyclobutane‐2,4‐diyl.     

Highly Electron‐Deficient and Air‐Stable Conjugated Thienylboranes

Introduced herein is a series of conjugated thienylboranes, which are inert to air and moisture, and even resist acids and strong bases. X‐ray analyses reveal a coplanar arrangement of the thiophene rings, an arrangement which facilitates p–π conjugation through the boron atoms despite the presence of highly bulky 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl (Mes*) or 2,4,6‐tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (^FMes) groups. Short B???F contacts, which lead to a pseudotrigonal bipyramidal geometry in the ^FMes species, have been further studied by DFT and AIM analysis. In contrast to the Mes* groups, the highly electron‐withdrawing ^FMes groups do not diminish the Lewis acidity of boron toward F^? anions. These compounds can be lithiated or iodinated under electrophilic conditions without decomposition, thus offering a promising route to larger conjugated structures with electron‐acceptor character.     

Redox Behaviour of Cymantrene Fischer Carbene Complexes in Designing Organometallic Multi‐tags

A series of Group 7 Fischer carbene complexes, [Cp(CO)₂Mn^I=C(OEt)Ar] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl, Ar=Th=thienyl ( 1 a ), Ar=Fu=furyl ( 2 a ), Ar=Fc=ferrocenyl ( 3 a )) and biscarbene complexes, [Cp(CO)₂Mn?C(OEt)?Ar′?(OEt)C?Mn(CO)₂Cp] (Ar′=Th′=2,5‐thienylene ( 1 b ), Ar′=Fu′=2,5‐furylene ( 2 b ), Ar′=Fc′=1,1′‐ferrocendiyl ( 3 b )) was synthesized and characterized. Chemical oxidation of [Cp(CO)₂Mn?C(OEt)Fc] ( 3 a ) and isolation of the oxidised species [3 a][PF₆] possessing a Mn^II centre proved possible below ?30 °C in dichloromethane solution. The ESR spectrum of the transiently stable radical cation, [3 a][PF₆] , confirmed the presence of a low‐spin Mn^II centre characterized by a rhombic g tensor (g_x=1.975, g_y=2.007 and g_z=2.130) in frozen dichloromethane at 77 K with ⁵⁵ Mn hyperfine coupling constants A₁, A₂ and A₃ of 115, 33 and 43 G, respectively. Electrochemical studies demonstrated the influence of the Ar substituent on the oxidation potential. All complexes showed that the redox potentials of carbene double bond reduction and Mn^I oxidation were dependent on the type of Ar group, but only 3 b showed resolved oxidations for the two Mn^I centres. Surprisingly, Mn^I oxidation occurs at lower potentials than ferrocenyl oxidation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to delineate the nature of the species involved in the oxidation and reduction processes and clearly confirm that oxidation of Mn^I is favoured over that of ferrocene.     

Hydrosilylation Induced by N→Si Intramolecular Coordination: Spontaneous Transformation of Organosilanes into 1‐Aza‐Silole‐Type Molecules in the Absence of a Catalyst

Our attempts to synthesize the N→Si intramolecularly coordinated organosilanes Ph₂L¹SiH ( 1 a ), PhL¹SiH₂ ( 2 a ), Ph₂L²SiH ( 3 a ), and PhL²SiH₂ ( 4 a ) containing a CH?N imine group (in which L¹ is the C,N‐chelating ligand {2‐[CH?N(C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)]C₆H₄}^? and L² is {2‐[CH?N(tBu)]C₆H₄}^?) yielded 1‐[2,6‐bis(diisopropyl)phenyl]‐2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐aza‐silole ( 1 ), 1‐[2,6‐bis(diisopropyl)phenyl]‐2‐phenyl‐2‐hydrido‐1‐aza‐silole ( 2 ), 1‐tert‐butyl‐2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐aza‐silole ( 3 ), and 1‐tert‐butyl‐2‐phenyl‐2‐hydrido‐1‐aza‐silole ( 4 ), respectively. Isolated organosilicon amides 1 – 4 are an outcome of the spontaneous hydrosilylation of the CH?N imine moiety induced by N→Si intramolecular coordination. Compounds 1–4 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The geometries of organosilanes 1 a – 4 a and their corresponding hydrosilylated products 1 – 4 were optimized and fully characterized at the B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) level of theory. The molecular structure determination of 1 – 3 suggested the presence of a Si?N double bond. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, however, shows a very strong donor–acceptor interaction between the lone pair of the nitrogen atom and the formal empty p orbital on the silicon and therefore, the calculations show that the Si?N bond is highly polarized pointing to a predominantly zwitterionic Si⁺N^? bond in 1 – 4 . Since compounds 1 – 4 are hydrosilylated products of 1 a – 4 a , the free energies (ΔG₂₉₈), enthalpies (ΔH₂₉₈), and entropies (ΔH₂₉₈) were computed for the hydrosilylation reaction of 1 a – 4 a with both B3LYP and B3LYP‐D methods. On the basis of the very negative ΔG₂₉₈ values, the hydrosilylation reaction is highly exergonic and compounds 1 a – 4 a are spontaneously transformed into 1 – 4 in the absence of a catalyst.     

配合物(ArO)2Yb(NPh2)2K(THF)4(Ar=C6H2-t-Bu3-2,4,6)的合成、分子结构和催化行为

Reaction of anhydrous YbC13 with 2 equiv, of sodium 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxide (ArONa, Ar=C6H2-t-Bu3-2,4,6) and 2 equiv, of potassium diphenyl amide in THF afforded the first bis(aryloxo) amido-lanthanide complex of (ArO)2Yb(NPh2)2K(THF)4 (1). In 1, the ytterbium and potassium were bridged via diphenyl amido ligands.The ytterbium metal center was coordinated to two oxygen atoms of aryloxide ligands and two nitrogen atoms of diphenyl amido ligands in a conventional distorted tetrahedral fashion, while the potassium interacted in η^2-fashion with two phenyl rings of the diphenyl amido ligands besides four THF molecules. 1 displayed moderate catalytic activities for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile.