Syntheses and structures of highly hindered N-functionalised alkyl–group 2 metal complexes [M{NC5H4C(SiMe3)2-2}2](M = Mg, Zn, Cd, or Hg)

Abstract

The complexes [[graphic omitted](SiMe₃)₂-2}₂][M = Mg (1), Zn (2), Cd (3), or Hg (4), accessible either by metallation of NC₅H₄{CH(SiMe₃)₂}-2 (RH)[for (1), using MgBuⁿBu^s], or from LiR(thf)_n(thf = tetrahydrofuran)[for (2)–(4), using MCl₂], are mononuclear metal(II) alkyls in which the dative metal–nitrogen interactions progressively weaken and C–M–C angles become more open in the sequence (1)→(4)[<M–N>, <C–M–C>: 2.13 Å, 157°, (1); 2.30 Å, 164°, (2); 2.49 Å, 174°, (3); 2.78 Å, 180°, (4); corresponding mean M–C distances are 2.22; 2.07; 2.27; 2.16 Å].