Reductive dimerization of phenyl isocyanate by divalent samarium complex: Synthesis and crystal structure of [(ArO)2(DME)Sm]2[μ-η4-(PhN)OCCO(NPh)] · 4THF (ArO = 2,6-di-tertbutyl-4-methylphenoxo)

The reaction of divalent (ArO)2Sm(THF)3 · THF with phenyl isocyanate directly gives a bimetallic complex [(ArO)2(DME)SM]2[μ-η4-(PhN)OCCO(NPh)] · 4THF (ArO = 2,6-di-tertbutyl-4-methylphenoxo) via one-electron reduction and coupling reactions. In this complex, the deprotonated N,N′-diphenyloxamide ligand bridges two units of (ArO)2(DME)Sm with C(5)-C(5∗), Sm-N and Sm-O(1) bonds of 1.43(2), 2.549(8) and 2.318(7) Å, respectively.