Synthesis, reactivity and structural characterization of ytterbium complexes bearing a tridentate [O,N,N] Schiff base ligand

The metathesis reaction of YbCl3 with 1 equivalent of the sodium salt of a Schiff base, [{LNa(THF)}2] (1) [LH = 3,5-But2-2-(OH)-C6H2CHN-8-C9H6N], gave the ytterbium monochloride complex L2YbCl (2). Complex 2 reacted with NaOAr (OAr = OC6H3But-2-Me-4) in a 1:1 molar ratio to form the aryloxo derivative L2Yb(OAr) (3). The one-pot reaction of the Schiff base HL, n-BuLi, YbCl3 and NaOAr in a 2:2:1:1 molar ratio also produced (3) and an unprecedented ytterbium aryloxide complex LL′Yb(OAr) (4) (L′ = 3,5-But2-2-(O)C6H2CH(C4H9)-NH-8-C9H6N). Reaction of complex 2 with 1 equivalent of (CH2CH-CH2)MgBr afforded the unexpected complex [Mg(H2N-8-C9H6N)Cl(THF)3]Br (5).