NCN-pincer organopnictogen(iii) bis(aryloxides)

Abstract

Hypercoordinated monoorganopnictogen(III) bis(aryloxides) RSb(OC₆H₃ⁱPr₂-2,6)₂ (3), RSb[OC₆H₃(OMe)₂-2,6]₂ (4), and RBi[OC₆H₃(OMe)₂-2,6]₂ (5) [R = 2,6-(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃] were synthesized by a reaction of pnictogen(III) dichlorides [2,6-(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃]PnCl₂ [Pn = Sb (1), Bi (2)] with 2 equiv. of the corresponding potassium aryloxides, i.e. KOC₆H₃ⁱPr₂-2,6 and KOC₆H₃(OMe)₂-2,6, respectively. All compounds were investigated by NMR spectroscopy and APCI-MS. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies performed for 3 and 5 revealed that the organic R group acts as a pincer ligand in a distorted square pyramidal (NCN)PnO₂ core with trans intramolecular N→Pn interactions.