Extremely bulky β-diketiminate complexes of calcium(ii) and ytterbium(ii)

Abstract

The potassium salt of an extremely bulky β-diketiminate, [K(Ar∗Nacnac)] (Ar∗Nacnac, [(Ar∗NCMe)2CH]-; Ar∗, C6H2Me{C(H)Ph2}2-4,2,6) was reacted with either CaI2 or YbI2(THF)2, which afforded [(Ar∗Nacnac)MI] (M = Ca or Yb). These are the first examples of structurally characterised, donor solvent-free, N-arene substituted β-diketiminato calcium and ytterbium complexes that incorporate a terminal iodide ligand. Reduction of [(Ar∗Nacnac)CaI] with sodium metal gave a complex product mixture, from which a few crystals of the β-diketiminate C-H activated product, [{Ca(μ-Ar∗Nacnac-H)}2], were obtained and crystallographically characterised. In an attempt to form a terminal ytterbium hydride compound, treatment of [(Ar∗Nacnac)YbI] with K[HBEt3] gave a good yield of the contact ion pair compound [(Ar∗Nacnac)Yb(HBEt3)].