Reaction of (Ph2N)2Sm(THF)4 with Azobenzene: Synthesis, X-ray Structure and Catalytic Behavior of [(Ph2N)(DME)Sm]2(μ-η2:η2-N2Ph2)2
Abstract
Reaction of divalent (Ph2N)2Sm(THF)4 with 1 equiv. of azobenzene in THF and then crystallization of the product in DME-Et2O mixed solvent produced the complex of [(Ph2N)(DME)Sm]2(μ-η2:η2-N2Ph2)2 (1) in 65.0% yield. In complex 1, azobenzene molecules were reduced to be dianionic Ph2 ligands, bridging two samarium ions in two η2:η2 fashions. One samarium ion was bonded to a DME molecule and a diphenyl amido ligand besides two Ph2
ligands. The unusual Ln-η2-arene close interaction was found for the first time for diphenyl amido lanthanides. Complex 1 could catalyze the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile