Yttrium and Lithium Keto-β-Diketiminate Complexes [{2,6-Me2C6H3N=C(Me)}2CС(tert-Bu)=O]2Y(μ2-Cl)2Li(THF)2 and {[{2,6-Me2C6H3N=C(Me)}2CС(tert-Bu)=O]Li(THF)}n. Synthesis, Molecular Structures, and Catalytic Activity in ε-Caprolactone Polymerization

Abstract

Abstract The reaction of lithium β-diketiminate [{2,6-Me2C6H3N=CMe}2CH]Li with benzophenone in toluene at 25°C affords the coordination complex [{2,6-Me2C6H3N=CMe}2CH]Li(Ph2C=O) (I). New keto-β-diketimine {2,6-Me2C6H3N=C(Me)}2CHC(tert-Bu)=O (II) is synthesized by the reaction of tert-Bu(C=O)Cl with [{2,6-Me2C6H3N=CMe}2CH]Li. The metallation of keto-β-diketimine II with n-butyllithium in THF at 0°C gives lithium keto-β-diketiminate {[{2,6-Me2C6H3N=C(Me)}2CС(tert-Bu)=O]Li(THF)}n (III). The exchange reaction of YCl3 with compound III (molar ratio 1 : 2, THF) affords the yttrium bis(keto-diketiminate) complex [{2,6-Me2C6H3N=C(Me)}2CС(tert-Bu)=O]2Y(μ2-Cl)2L-(THF)2 (IV). The molecular structures of complexes I, III, and IV are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (CIF files CCDC nos. 2001131 (I), 2001132 (III), and 2001133 (IV)). Complex IV in the crystalline state exists as an ate complex with one LiCl molecule. Complexes I, III, and IV are catalysts of ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone in toluene at 25°С.