Mononucleating bis(beta-diketonate) ligands and their titanium(IV) complexes

Novel bis(beta-diketones) linked by 2,2'-biphenyldiyl, 2,2'-tolandiyl, and 2,2'-bis(methylene)biphenyl moieties have been prepared. All are metalated readily by titanium(IV) isopropoxide, but the nature of the complexes formed depends on the linker structure. The biphenyl-bridged ligand gives only traces of a mononuclear complex, which is thermodynamically unstable with respect to oligomerization. The tolan-bridged ligand does form mononuclear complexes, but only as a mixture of geometric isomers. In contrast, the substituted 2,2'-bis-(2,4-dioxobutyl)biphenyl ligands, R2BobH2 (R = tBu, p-Tol), react with Ti(OiPr)4 to give, initially, a mixture of monomer and oligomers, which is converted quantitatively to monomer upon heating in the presence of excess Ti(OiPr)4. Only a single relative configuration of the biphenyl and bis(chelate) titanium moieties, established by crystallography of (tBu2Bob)Ti(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3)2 to be the (R)-/(S)- diastereomer, is observed. The kinetic and thermodynamic robustness of the (R2Bob)Ti framework is confirmed by reactions with Lewis acids. For example, (Tol2Bob)Ti(OiPr)2 reacts with trimethylsilyl triflate or triflic acid to substitute one or both of the isopropoxide groups with triflates without any redistribution or loss of the diketonate ligands. Cationic complexes can be prepared by abstraction of triflate from (Tol2Bob)Ti(OiPr)(OTf) with Na[B(C6H3(CF3)2)4]. For example, in the presence of diethyl ether, the crystallographically characterized [(Tol2Bob)Ti(OiPr)(OEt2)][B(C6H3(CF3)2)4], containing a rapidly dissociating ether ligand, is formed.     

Cytotoxicity and hydrolysis of trans-Ti(IV) complexes of salen ligands: structure-activity relationship studies

Eleven bis(dimethylphenolato) Ti(IV) complexes of salen ligands with different steric and electronic properties due to different aromatic substituents at the ortho and para positions are reported, and their cytotoxicity toward HT-29 and OVCAR-1 cells and its dependence on hydrolytic behavior are discussed. Eight complexes of this series were analyzed by X-ray crystallography, confirming the trans geometry of the labile ligands with otherwise relatively similar coordination features to those of cis-salan analogues. Relatively high and similar hydrolytic stability is observed for all complexes, with t(1/2) values for labile ligand hydrolysis of 2-11 h in 10% D(2)O solutions. In contrast, varying cytotoxicities were achieved, identifying selected members as the first trans-Ti(IV) complexes reported as anticancer agents. Steric bulk all around the complex diminished the activity, where a complex with no aromatic substitutions is especially active and complexes substituted particularly at the ortho positions are mostly inactive, including ortho-halogenated and ortho-tert-butylated, with one exception of the ortho-methoxylated complex demonstrating appreciable activity. In contrast, para-halogenation provided the complexes of highest cytotoxic activity in this series (IC(50) as low as 1.0 ± 0.3 μM), with activity exceeding that of cisplatin by up to 15-fold. Reaction of a representative complex with ortho-catechol yielded a "cis"-Ti(IV) complex following rearrangement of the salen ligand on the metal center, with highly similar coordination features and geometry to those of the catecholato salan analogues, suggesting that the complexes operate by similar mechanisms and rearrangement of the salen ligand may occur upon introduction of a suitable chelating target. In additional cytotoxicity measurements, a salen complex was preincubated in the biological medium for varying periods prior to cell addition, revealing that marked cytotoxicity of the salen complex is retained for longer preincubation periods relative to known Ti(IV) complexes, suggesting that the hydrolysis products may also induce cytotoxic effects, thus reducing stability concerns.     

Oxovanadium(IV) and (V) complexes of acetylpyridine-derived semicarbazones exhibit insulin-like activity

Reaction of 2-acetylpyridine semicarbazone (H2APS), 3-acetylpyridine semicarbazone (H3APS) and 4-acetylpyridine semicarbazone (H4APS) with [VO(acac)₂] (acac = acetylacetonate) gave [VO(H2APS)(acac)₂] (1), [VO(H3APS)(acac)₂] (2) and [VO(4APS)(acac)(H₂O)] · 1/2H₂O (3). Oxidation of complex 1 in acetonitrile gave [VO₂(2APS)] (4). The crystal structures of complexes 1 and 4 have been determined. Complexes 1–3 were able to enhance glucose uptake and to inhibit glycerol release from adipocytes, which indicate their potential to act as insulin-mimics.     

Monocyclopentadienyl titanium(IV) dithiocarbamate complexes

Preparation of titanium(IV) complexes of the type CpTi(dtc)Cl₂, CpTi(dtc)₂Cl and CpTi(dtc)₃ has been carried out by reacting CpTiCl₃ and respective sodium dithiocarbamate viz. N-(ethyl, m-tolyl), N-cyclopentyl and N-cycloheptyl dithiocarbamates in the desired metal to ligand ratio in refluxing dichlomethane. Studies of the physical properties reveal monomeric and nonelectrolytic nature of these complexes, where dithiocarbamate behaves as bidentate ligand. Therefore, 5, 6 and 7 coordinate structure can be assigned to CpTi(dtc)Cl₂, CpTi(dtc)₂Cl and CpTi(dtc)₃, respectively.     

Acid-functionalized dissymmetric salen ligands and their manganese(III) complexes

Acid-functionalized symmetric and dissymmetric salen-type ligands were synthesized via a novel self-protection step in a quantitative yield. This synthetic method allows one to quickly prepare salen-based dissymmetric chiral compounds with tailorable coordinating properties. Therefore, this approach provides a blueprint for synthesizing and evaluating a new class of acid-functionalized salen ligands that can be used as chiral building blocks for a wide range of catalysts and coordination polymers with chemically tailorable properties.     

Structure and conformational motion of seven-coordinate diorganotin(IV) complexes derived from salen and salan type ligands

Reaction of R₂SnCl₂ (R = Me, nBu, Ph) and the potassium salts of salenN₃H₃ (N,N′-bis(salicylidene)diethylenetriamine) and saleanN₃H₅ (N,N′-bis(o-hydroxybenzyl)diethylenetriamine) provided diorganotin(IV) complexes of the composition [Me₂Sn(salenN₃H)]·solvate (solvate = 2.5H₂O, MeOH or DMSO), [nBu₂Sn(salenN₃H)]·H₂O, [Ph₂Sn(salenN₃H)]·2EtOH and [Me₂Sn(saleanN₃H₃)]·2.5H₂O. In all compounds the tin atoms are seven-coordinate and have pentagonal-bipyramidal coordination environments, in which the organic substituents attached to the tin atoms occupy the axial positions. This occurs both in solution and the solid state; however, in solution the molecules are involved in conformational equilibria that require the presence of intermediates, in which the N → Sn bonds are dissociated. Although the [saleanN₃H₃]²⁻ ligand is more flexible and basic, a very similar complexing behavior to that of [salenN₃H]²⁻ has been found, and there is evidence that it is even a weaker ligand. Both ligands show the tendency to adopt a curved conformation within the complex, thus indicating that the dynamic process resembles the flapping of butterfly wings. However, the folding is reduced with increasing steric bulk of the organic substitutents attached to the tin atoms. The six-membered heterocyclic rings in the [R₂Sn(salenN₃H)] derivatives have envelope conformation, while those in [Me₂Sn(saleanN₃H₃)] have distorted boat-conformation. Thus, small changes in the hybridization and basicity of the nitrogen atoms cause significant differences of the stability and the dynamic behavior of the resulting molecules.     

A marked synergistic effect in antitumor activity of salan titanium(IV) complexes bearing two differently substituted aromatic rings

Salan titanium(IV) complexes of differently substituted aromatic rings, where one ring is para-nitrated and another is ortho,para-halogenated, demonstrate exceptionally high anticancer activity, with IC(50) values of <1 μM, exceeding that of cisplatin by ~30-fold. Whereas an additive effect in hydrolytic stability was detected for these highly stable complexes, an unexpected synergistic effect in anticancer activity makes these hybrid complexes substantially more active than both their symmetrical analogues alone and their equimolar mixture.     

Synthesis and characterization of titanium (IV) Schiff base complexes,part III1. Octahedral titanium (IV) complexes of some dibasic terdentate Schiff base ligands

Summary Complexes of the X₂Ti(SB) type, where X is OMe, OEt and OPr-i and SB is the dianion of salicylaldehyde-2-hydroxyanil (H₂SAP), acetylacetone-2-hydroxyanil (H₂AAP) and acetylacetone-2-mercaptoanil (H₂ASP), have been prepared and characterized by means of conductivity, molecular weight, i.r., n.m.r and mass spectral measurements. The ONO and ONS donor ligands are terdentate and the titanium(IV) atom attains six-coordinationvia dimerization of the complexes. The tendency of (i-PrO)₂Ti(AAP), where AAP is the dianion of acetylacetone-2-hydroxyanil, to become monomeric and to disproportionate to Ti(AAP)₂ and Ti(OPr-i)₄ was also investigated. Spectral data are also presented for the octahedral complexes of the Ti(SB)₂ type, where SB is the dianion of H₂SAP, H₂AAP, H₂ASP or of the related ONO donor ligands salicylaldehyde-2-hydroxyethylimine (H₂SAE), salicylaldehyde-3-hydroxypropylimine (H₂SPA), and diisopropylethanolamine (H₂DIP).Presented in part at the 166th ACS National Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, Aug. 26–31, 1973; No. INORG. 50.     

Monocyclopentadienyl titanium(IV) alkyl xanthate complexes

Titanium(IV) alkyl xanthates of the types CpTi(S₂COR)Cl₂, CpTi(S₂COR)₂Cl and CpTi(S₂COR)₃, where R = CH₃, C₂H₅, C₃H₇, C₄H₉ and C₅H₁₁, have been prepared by the reaction of monocyclopentadienyl titanium(IV) trichloride with potassium alkyl xanthates in anhydrous dichloromethane. Conductance and infrared studies suggest that these complexes are non-electrolytes in which all of the xanthate ligands are bidentate. Proton nmr spectra of these complexes indicate that there is rapid rotation of the cyclopentadienyl ring about the metal-ring axis and for the CpTi(S₂COR)₃ complexes non-equivalence of the alkylxanthate ligands was observed.     

Diorganotin(IV) derivatives of substituted benzohydroxamic acids with high antitumor activity

A series of diorganotin(IV) and dichlorotin(IV) derivatives of 4-X-benzohydroxamic acids, [HL(1) (X = Cl) or HL(2) (X = OCH(3))] formulated as [R(2)SnL(2)] (R = Me, Et, nBu, Ph or Cl; L = L(1) or L(2)), along with their corresponding mixed-ligand complexes [R(2)Sn(L(1))(L(2))] have been prepared and characterized by FT-IR, (1)H, (13)C, and (119)Sn NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and melting points. In addition, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out for [Me(2)SnL(2)] (L = L(1) or L(2)), which show coordination structures intermediate between distorted octahedra and bicapped tetrahedra. The hydroxamate ligands are asymmetrically coordinated by the oxygen atoms, the carbonyl oxygen atom is further away from the metal center than the other oxygen atom. The complexes are stable monomeric species; most of them are soluble not only in chlorohydrocarbon solvents, but also in alcohols and hydroalcoholic solutions. In polar solvents, the mixed-ligand complexes gradually decompose into the corresponding single-ligand complex couples. The complexes exhibit in vitro antitumor activities (against a series of human tumor cell lines) which, in some cases, are identical to, or even higher than, that of cisplatin. For the dialkyltin complexes, the activity increases with the length of the carbon chain of the alkyl ligand and is higher in the case of the chloro-substituted benzohydroxamato ligand. The [nBu(2)Sn(L(1))(2)] complex displays a high in vivo activity against H22 liver and BGC-823 gastric tumors, and has a relatively low toxicity.     

Racemic titanium(IV) complexes of salicylideneamino acids

New racemic complexes of titanium with Schiff bases derived from condensation of salicylaldehyde with dl-alanine (H₂Sal-dl-Ala) and dl-valine (H₂Sal-dl-Val) have been prepared. The crystal structure of [(Sal-dl-Val)₂Ti·CH₂Cl₂ bis(N-salicylidenevalinato)titanate(IV) CH₂Cl₂] has been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods; the crystal is a racemate consisting of a pair of enantiomers (Sal-d-Val)₂Ti and (Sal-l-Val)₂Ti. The Schiff-base ligand acts as a double negatively-charged tridentate ONO chelate, coordinated to the titanium atom. The geometry around titanium is a distorted octahedron. The i.r. and u.v.–vis. spectra of the complexes have been evaluated.     

Mixed ligand titanium(IV) complexes. Chlorobis(dithiocarbamato)bis(methylsalicylato)titanium(IV) andbis(dithiocarbamato)bis(methylsalicylato)titanium(IV)

Summary Dichlorobis(methylsalicylato)titanium(IV) reacts with potassium or amine salts of dialkyl or diaryl dithiocarbamates in 11 and 12 molar ratios in anhydrous benzene (room temperature) or in boiling CH₂Cl₂ to yield mixed ligand complexes: (AcOC₆H₄O)₂ Ti(S₂CNR₂)Cl (1) and (AcOC₆H₄O)₂ Ti(S₂CNR₂)₂ (2), R=Et, n-Pr, n-Bu, cyclo-C₄H₈ and cyclo-C₅H₁₀. These compounds are moisture sensitive and highly soluble in polar solvents. Molecular weight measurement in conjunction with i.r.,¹H and¹³C n.m.r. spectral studies suggest coordination number 7 and 8 around titanium(IV) in (1) and (2) respectively.     

Titanium (IV) chloride complexes with salen ligands supported on magnesium carrier: Synthesis and use in ethylene polymerization

The magnesium support with the formula MgCl₂(THF)_0.32(Et₂AlCl)_0.36 was used for immobilization of salen complexes of titanium [Ti(salen)Cl₂, Ti(salen(OMe)₂)Cl₂]. The effects of the catalyst composition (i.e. type of titanium complex and type of activator), polymerization temperature, polymerization time, and the effect of comonomer (1‐octene) on the activity of the obtained supported catalysts, on the polymer characteristics (molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, melting point), and on the polymer morphology were studied. The findings were compared to those obtained for corresponding unsupported systems. Catalysts immobilization results in considerable changes in catalysts activity and in properties of resultant polymers. The studied supported catalysts are highly active in ethylene polymerization, their activity increases with increasing temperature and lasts at least 2 hours. Their copolymerizing ability towards 1‐octene is rather low. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6693–6703, 2009     

Studies on monocyclopentadienyl titanium(IV) dithiocarbamato complexes

Titanium(IV) dithiocarbamato complexes of the typesCpTi(S₂CNHR)Cl₂ andCpTi(S₂CNHR)₂Cl, whereR=C₈H₅N₂S, C₉H₅N₂SCl₂ and C₉H₇N₂S, have been prepared by the reaction of monocyclopentadienyl titanium(IV) trichloride with the potassium salt of the appropriate dithiocarbamic acid in anhydrous dichloromethane. Conductance and infrared studies indicate that these complexes are non-electrolytes in which all dithiocarbamate ligands are bidentate. Therefore, 5 and 6 coordinate structures can be assigned toCpTi(S₂CNHR)Cl₂ andCpTi(S₂CNHR)₂Cl complexes, respectively.¹H-NMR spectra indicate that there is rapid rotation of the cyclopentadienyl ring about the metal ring axis.

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Untersuchungen von Monocyclopentadienyl-titan(IV)-dithiocarbamat-Komplexen

Zusammenfassung Es wurden Titan(IV)-dithiocarbamat-Komplexe vom TypCpTi(S₂CNHR)Cl₂ undCpTi(S₂CNHR)₂Cl mitR=C₈H₅N₂S, C₉H₅N₂SCl₂ und C₉H₇N₂S mittels der Reaktion von Monocyclopentadienyltitan(IV)trichlorid mit dem Kaliumsalz der entsprechenden Dithiocarbaminsäure in wasserfreiem Dichlormethan dargestellt. Leitfähigkeitsmessungen und IR-Untersuchungen zeigen, daß diese Komplexe Nichtelektrolyte sind, bei denen alle Dithiocarbamat-Liganden zweizähnig sind. Demnach können 5-, bzw. 6-koordinierte Strukturen für die Komplexe des TypsCpTi(S₂CNHR)Cl₂, bzw.CpTi(S₂CNHR)₂Cl angenommen werden. Die¹H-NMR Spektren zeigen eine rasche Rotation des Cyclopentadienylrings um die Metall-Ring Achse an.

     

Synthesis,characterization, and antitumor activity of novel tumor-targeted platinum(IV) complexes

Four tumor-targeted platinum(IV) complexes with ammonia and cyclohexylamine as the carrier groups and biotin as the axial group were designed, synthesized, and characterized. In vitro evaluation of the antitumor activity of complexes C1–C4 against lung cancer cells (A549), liver cancer cells (SMMC-7721), breast cancer cells (MCF-7), and colon cancer cells (SW480) was carried out. Complex C3 had the best cellular activity. Compared with cisplatin, complex C3 showed good anticancer activity against A549 cell line,complex C3 (6.34±0.44) is 3 times more cytotoxic than cisplatin (19.40±0.71),and against MCF-7 cell line complex C3 (4.22±0.11) is 5.4 times more cytotoxic than cisplatin (22.96±0.58), and against SW480 cell line complex C3 (6.65±0.60) is 3.4 times more cytotoxic than cisplatin (23.15±0.22). (Table 1) Axial chloride increased the redox power of complex C3 to increase the intercellular accumulation and the introduction of mixed amine had the ability to overcome cisplatin resistance. Complex C3 works best on MCF-7, then SW480, A549, and SMMC-7721. Thus, complex C3 is targeted by the axial introduction of biotin.     

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes with polydentate nitrogen ligands

Summary Biacetyldihydrazone (BdH) and 2,2-6, 2-terpyridine (terpy) complexes of oxovanadium(IV) have been prepared and characterized by chemical analysis, conductance measurements, electronic, i.r. and e.p.r. spectral studies and magnetic susceptibilities measurements. Polymeric and monomer structures are proposed for the BdH and terpy complexes, respectively.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of titanium(IV) and zirconium(IV) amides with chiral biphenyldiamine-based ligands

A new series of titanium(IV) and zirconium(IV) amides have been prepared from the reaction between M(NMe₂)₄ (M = Ti, Zr) and C₂-symmetric ligands, (R)-2,2′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (2H₂), (R)-2,2′-bis(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (3H₂), (R)-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphinoylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (4H₂), (R)-2,2′-bis(methanesulphonylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (5H₂), (R)-2,2′-bis(p-toluenesulphonylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (6H₂), and C₁-symmetric ligands, (R)-2-(diphenylthiophosphoramino)-2′-(dimethylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (7H) and (R)-2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)-2′-(dimethylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (8H), which are derived from (R)-2,2′-diamino-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl. Treatment of M(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv. of N₄-ligand, 2H₂ or 3H₂ gives, after recrystallization from an n-hexane solution, the chiral zirconium amides (2)Zr(NMe₂)₂ (9), (3)Zr(NMe₂)₂ (11), and titanium amide (3)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (10), respectively, in good yields. Reaction of Zr(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv of diphenylphosphoramide 4H₂ affords the chiral zirconium amide (4)Zr(NMe₂)₂ (12) in 85% yield. Under similar reaction conditions, treatment of Ti(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv. of sulphonylamide ligand, 5H₂ or 6H₂ gives, after recrystallization from a toluene solution, the chiral titanium amides (5)Ti(NMe₂)₂·0.5C₇H₈ (13·0.5C₇H₈) and (6)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (15), respectively, in good yields, while reaction of Zr(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv. of 5H₂ or 6H₂ gives the bis-ligated complexes, (5)₂Zr (14) and (6)₂Zr (16). Treatment of M(NMe₂)₄ with 2 equiv. of diphenylthiophosphoramide ligand 7H or N₃-ligand 8H gives, after recrystallization from a benzene solution, the bis-ligated chiral zirconium amides (7)₂Zr(NMe₂)₂ (17) and (8)₂Zr(NMe₂)₂ (19), and bis-ligated chiral titanium amide (8)₂Ti(NMe₂)₂ (18), respectively, in good yields. All new compounds have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analyses. The solid-state structures of complexes 10, 12, 13, and 17-19 have further been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The zirconium amides are active catalysts for the asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes, affording cyclic amines in good to excellent yields with moderate ee values, while the titanium amides are not.     

Structural variations in Ni(II) complexes of salen type di-Schiff base ligands

Three di-Schiff-base ligands, N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine (H₂Salpn), N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-pentanediamine (H₂Salpen) and N,N′-bis(salicylidine)-ethylenediamine (H₂Salen) react with Ni(SCN)₂ · 4H₂O in 2:3 molar ratios to form the complexes; mononuclear [Ni(HSalpn)(NCS)(H₂O)] · H₂O (1a), trinuclear [{Ni(Salpen)}₂Ni(NCS)₂] (2b) and trinuclear [{Ni(Salen)}₂Ni(NCS)₂] (3) respectively. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV–VIS spectra, and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. The structures of 1a and 2b have been confirmed by X-ray single crystal analysis. In complex 1a, the Ni(II) atom is coordinated equatorially by the tetradentate, mononegative Schiff-base, HSalpn. Axial coordination of isothiocyanate group and a water molecule completes its octahedral geometry. The hydrogen atom attached to one of the oxygen atoms of the Schiff base is involved in a very strong hydrogen bond with a neighboring unit to form a centrosymmetric dimer. In 2b, two square planar [Ni(Salpen)] units act as bidentate oxygen donor ligands to a central Ni(II) which is also coordinated by two mutually cis N-bonded thiocyanate ligands to complete its distorted octahedral geometry. Complex 3 possesses a similar structure to that of 2b. A dehydrated form of 1a and a hydrated form of 2b have been obtained and characterized. The importance of electronic and steric factors in the variation of the structures is discussed.     

Photochemistry of tris(pyrazolyl)borate titanium(IV) complexes

The electronic features and photochemistry of TpTiCl₃ (1) (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate) and Tp*TiCl₃ (2) (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) were studied in THF. Reactive decay of the excited states produced either (or ) and metal center Ti(III) radicals via homolytic cleavage of the Tp → Ti (Tp* → Ti) bond. Cleavage of the Tp → Ti and the Tp* → Ti bond as a primary photoprocess is shown to be consistent with LMCT Tp → Ti and Tp* → Ti excitation. TpTiCl₂(THF) (3) and Tp*TiCl₂(THF) (4) were also prepared by stoichiometric reduction of 1 and 2 with Li₃N. The THF ligand in 3 and 4 was replaced by the stable nitroxyl radical TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) to provide the new complexes TpTiCl₂(TEMPO) (5) and Tp*TiCl₂(TEMPO) (6) in which the TEMPO ligand is η¹ coordinated to Ti(IV). Photolysis of 5 and 6 generate Ti(III) and the TEMPO radical in the primary photochemical step.     

Phospha(III)guanidinate complexes of titanium(IV) and zirconium(IV) amides

Two procedures for the synthesis of group 4 phosphaguanidine compounds M(R₂PC{NR′}₂)(NR″₂)₃ (M = Ti, Zr; R = Ph, Cy; R′ = ⁱPr, Cy; R″ = Me, Et) are described. Spectroscopic characterization indicated symmetrical bonding of the phosphaguanidinate ligand in solution for the P-diphenyl derivatives whereas the P-dicyclohexyl analogs adopt a more rigid geometry with inequivalent N_amidine substituents within the phosphaguanidinate ligand. X-ray diffraction studies show exclusively monomeric tbp metal centers for a series of derivatives, with a chelating phosphaguanidinate ligand that spans an axial and an equatorial position. Two different conformers have been identified in the solid-state that differ in the relative orientation of the phosphorus R₂P–C substituents with respect to the equatorial plane of the tbp metal. The synthetic protocol was extended to the bimetallic complex, [PhP(C{NⁱPr}₂Ti{NMe₂}₃)CH₂–]₂, which was characterized by crystallography as the meso-form.