Multidentate fluorinated alkoxide ligand platforms for oxophilic metal centers: from MOCVD source reagents to polymerization catalysts

In contrast to simple fluorinated alkoxides, the coordination chemistry of multidentate ligands that incorporate OC(CF₃)₂CR₂-type moieties and additional donors (N, O, etc.) has been briefly investigated. In this Perspective, we review some well-defined, unambiguously authenticated main group and transition metal complexes supported by multidentate fluorinated alkoxide ligands and we present aspects of their syntheses, structures, and reactivities. The first part is devoted to the first syntheses of fluorinated alkoxy-imino and fluorinated alkoxy-amino ligand platforms and their application in the preparation of late transition (Ru, Co, Ir, Ni, Pd, Cu) and main group (Sr, Ba, Ga) metal complexes, many of which have been used as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) source reagents. In the second part, heteroleptic complexes based on oxophilic metals (Y, La, Ti, Zr, Hf, Al) and the catalytic performance of these systems in olefin polymerization and ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters are highlighted.