Synthesis and structural characterization of new bis(alkynylamidinato)lanthanide(III)-amides

Four new unsolvated lanthanide bis(alkynylamidinato) amide complexes [c-C3H5-CC-C(NR)2]2LnN(SiMe3)2 (2: Ln = Ce, R = iPr; 3: Ln = Ce, R = Cy; 4: Ln = Nd, R = Cy; 5: Ln = Ho, R = Cy) have been prepared and structurally characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction. An initial catalytic study showed that the new complexes cannot be reliably employed as precatalysts for hydroamination/cyclization reactions.