The use of (Me3Si)2NN(SiMe3)2 as a reagent for the synthesis of µ-dinitrogen complexes or as a homogeneous one-electron reducing agent

Abstract

The reaction of NbCl₅ with (Me₃Si)₂NN(SiMe₃)₂, in the presence of tetrahydrofuran (thf) gives high yields (ca. 80%) of [{NbCl₃(thf)₂}₂N₂](A); (A), or its tantalum analogue, reacts with Me₃SiS₂CNEt₂ to give a high yield of the dinitrogen complexes with exclusively sulphur co-ligands [{M(S₂CNEt₂)₃}₂N₂](M = Nb or Ta), and reaction of [MoCl₄L₂](L = MeCN or thf) with (Me₃Si)₂NN(SiMe₃)₂ gives [MoCl₃L₃] in high yield, together with N₂.