Transition metal complexes of a sterically demanding diimine ligand

Abstract

The reaction of the metal halide with the sterically demanding ligand (i-Pr2C6H3N)(C(Me)(NC6H3-i-Pr2))2 afforded the complexes (i-Pr2C6H3N)(C(Me)(NC6H3-i-Pr2))2MX2 (X = Cl, M = Fe (2), Co (3); X = Br, M = Ni (4), M = Cu (5), Zn (6)). The species of 2 reacts with Li(OEt2)B(C6F5)4 to form the yellow adduct [(i-Pr2C6H3N)(C(Me)(NC6H3-i-Pr2))2Fe(µ-Cl)2Li(OEt2)2][B(C6F5)4] (7) while alkylation of 2 gave (i-Pr2C6H3N)(C(Me)(NC6H3-i-Pr2))2FeClCH2SiMe3 (8). The species [(i-Pr2C6H3N)(C(Me)(NC6H3-i-Pr2))2Ni(η3-C3H5)][B(3,5-CF3C6H3)4] (9) was obtained from reaction of 1 with [(η3-C3H5)NiBr]2 and [Na][B(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)4] while reaction of 4 with Super-Hydride afforded (i-Pr2C6H3N)(C(Me)(NC6H3-i-Pr2))2NiH2BEt2 (10). X-ray data are reported for 2–10. The sterically demanding nature of the ligand inhibits subsequent reactivity of these species. Key words: sterically demanding ligands, chelate complexes, X-ray structure, diimine ligands.