Diazaallyls of group 4 metals based on trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane

Amination of 1-bromo-2-methylpyridine with trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane gives the corresponding bis(aminopyridine) H₂L¹. Conversion of the same diamine to the N,N′-bis(amino-4,4-dimethylthiazoline) H₂L² is also completed in three steps. The analogous aminooxazoline is however inaccessible, although the aminocyclohexane analogue is prepared readily. The proligand H₂L¹ forms bis(aminopyridinato) alkyl complexes of the type ZrL¹R₂] (R = CH₂Ph, CH₂Bu^t). The molecular structure of the neopentyl complex shows that the chiral backbone leads to a puckering of the N₄Zr coordination sphere, which contrasts with the related cyclohexyl-bridged Schiff-base complexes which are essentially planar. ZrL²(CH₂Bu^t)₂] - the first aminothiazolinato complex - is formed similarly. A comparison of the structures of ZrL¹(CH₂Bu^t)₂] and ZrL²(CH₂Bu^t)₂] indicates that the latter has a fully delocalised N-C-N system, rather similar to a bis(amidinate). Reaction of H₂L² with Ti(NMe₂)₄] gives TiL²(NMe₂)₂] which appears to be C₂-symmetric like the above complexes according to NMR spectra, but has one uncoordinated thiazoline unit in the solid state. This is a result of increased ring strain at the smaller titanium metal centre.