Synthesis of phosphinochalcogenoic amidato complexes of zinc and cadmium. The crystal and molecular structure of [Zn{But2P(Se)NPri}2]

Abstract

The protolysis of zinc and cadmium amides [M{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] with 2 equivalents of phosphinochalcogenoic amides Bu^t₂P(E)NHR (E = Se or Te, R = Prⁱ or C₆H₁₁) gave the complexes [M{Bu^t₂P(E)NR}₂](M = Zn or Cd). The thermally stable compounds are monomeric and sublime readily. If the protolysis reaction is carried out in a molar ratio of 1:1, the mixed-ligand compounds [Zn{N(SiMe₃)₂}{Bu^t₂P(E)NR}] can be isolated for zinc but not for cadmium. The crystal structure of [Zn{Bu^t₂P(Se)NPrⁱ}₂] has been determined. The complex possesses a distorted tetrahedral structure. The ligands are bidentate, with short [1.981(3)Å] Zn–N and comparatively long [2.5375(9)Å] Zn–Se bonds.