Unusual crystalline heterobimetallic trinuclear β-diketiminates [Yb{L(μ-Li(thf)}2] and [Yb{L′(μ-Li(thf)}2]·thf [L, L′ = {N(SiMe3)C(R)}2CH, R = Ph, C6H4Ph-4]

Abstract

YbCl₃ with successively 2KL or 2KL′ and then >2Li in thf yields crystalline [Yb{L(μ-Li(thf)}₂] 1 or [Yb{L′(μ-Li(thf)}₂]^.thf 2, characterised by X-ray, multinuclear NMR spectral and VT magnetic susceptibility data; 1 and 2 are best formulated as Yb(II) complexes having dianionic L²⁻ or L′²⁻ ligands, L or L′ = {N(SiMe₃)C(R)}₂CH (R = Ph or C₆H₄Ph-4).