Rebecca Zuckerman

Reversible CH activation of an N-methyl group in a bis-Zr(IV) diazametallacycle: generation of an end-on, side-on coordinated bridging alkylideneamido ligand

Abstract The complex (Cp 2 Zr) 2 (μ-NH t Bu)(μ-NCH 2 ) was obtained when the stoichiometric reaction between Cp 2 (THF)ZrN t Bu and PhCHNMe was carried out. The crystal structure of this dinuclear species shows two Cp 2 Zr fragments bridged in a moderately symmetric fashion by a NH t Bu group, and in an extremely asymmetric fashion by a NCH 2 (methyleneamido) group. The methyleneamido fragment exhibits an unusual coordination mode: it is bound to one Zr atom in a linear fashion (∠Zr1N1C21=176.9(6)°) and to the second Zr atom (Zr2) in a side-on fashion.