Synthesis and coordination chemistry of the PPN ligand 2‐[bis(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]‐6‐methylpyridine

The synthesis and crystal structure of the multidentate PPN ligand 2‐bis(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]‐6‐methylpyridine (L ), C₁₉H₃₅NP₂, are described. In the isostructural tetrahedral Fe and Co complexes of type LM Cl₂ (M = Fe, Co), namely {2‐bis(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]‐6‐methylpyridine‐κ²P ,N }dichloridoiron(II), FeCl₂(C₁₉H₃₅NP₂)], and {2‐bis(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]‐6‐methylpyridine‐κ²P ,N }dichloridocobalt(II), CoCl₂(C₁₉H₃₅NP₂)], the ligand adopts a bidentate P ,N‐coordination, whereas in the case of the octahedral Mn complex {2‐bis(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]‐6‐methylpyridine‐κ²P ,P ′}bromidotricarbonylmanganese(I), MnBr(C₁₉H₃₅NP₂)(CO)₃], the ligand coordinates via both P atoms to the metal centre.